Zimbabwe has an adult HIV prevalence of 15 per cent and high maternal, neonatal, and child mortality rates. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR), which showed signs of decline in the mid 2000s, increased significantly to 960 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010/2011, but began to show signs of decline in 2014 (614 deaths per 100,000 live births).
Given that most HIV infections are sexually transmitted—or are associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding—and the presence of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) further increases the risk of HIV transmission, linking SRH and HIV services simply makes sense.
The project’s work on promoting a coordinated and coherent response to national SRH and HIV priorities has enhanced more effective implementation of SRH and HIV linkages and strengthened integrated SRH, HIV, and gender-based violence (GBV) service provision across the country.
