HIV and AIDS Talk Too Much?

One week ago, I was attending a course in which we had a discussion around behavior change with reference to HIV and AIDS. Zimbabwe like other developing nations is grappling with the challenges posed by the pandemic. AIDS is recorded as the most common cause of death among the African population. About 1, 600 children have their lives cut short due to the pandemic. The impact of HIV and AIDS on society as a whole is indeed incomprehensible, individuals, families and nations have been robbed of the most important people. Almost every one in Zimbabwe has experienced the effects of the HIV and AIDS yet when the subject is brought about in public spaces some people treat it with the minimum seriousness.

In this particular course I attended, some individuals were making funny statements while others complained that they had heard enough of discussions on HIV and AIDS. This left me with a question – If people have had enough about the issue why is the pandemic still spreading? The fact that the rate of transmission is still high should give people the more reason to continue discussions that can push people to change behavior.