Overall country HIV rate falls despite Njombe ‘s 14.8 percent

Executive Chairman of Tanzania Aids Commission, (TACAIDS), Dr Fatma Mrisho (R), at news conference in her office in Dar es Salaam yesterday. December 1 World AIDS Day at national level will be held in Njombe. On her
Njombe Region now leads in terms of HIV prevalence with 14.8 percent, according to the Tanzania Commission for Aids (TACAIDS).

This is according to Third Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicator Survey (THMIS III) 2011 –2012, TACAIDS Executive Director Dr Fatma Mrisho told media personnel in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Njombe is followed by Iringa Region 9.1 with per cent and Mbeya Region 9.0 per cent while the lowest prevalence is recorded in Manyara Region at 1.5 percent.

She warned HIV victims to stop using alternative medicines for treatment, urging them to continue using the prescribed ARV and other counseling measures.
Her warning comes ahead of Tanzania joining other nations to mark Aids Day on December 1.

Mrisho noted however that that regardless of Njombe having 14.8 per cent HIV prevalence, the country is doing well as the overall rate declined from 5.7 in 2007/08 to 5.1 per cent in 2012.

“But the prevalence is higher among individuals with regular income than those without. This is according to “Third Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicator Survey (THMIS III) 2011 – 2012,” she said.

The percentage rate of HIV prevalence in various Tanzanian locations is as follows, according to the survey:

Shinyanga 7.4 per cent, Ruvuma 7.0 per cent , Dar es Salaam 6.9 per cent , Rukwa 6.2 per cent , Katavi5.9 percent ,Coast 5.9 per cent, Tabora 5.1, Kagera 4.8, Geita 4.7, Mara 4.5, Mwanza 4.2, Mtwara 4.1,Kilimanjaro 3.8 percent, Morogoro 3.8 per cent , Simiyu 3.6 per cent , Kigoma 3.4 per cent, Singida 3.3 per cent , Arusha 3.2 per cent , Dodoma 2.9 per cent , Lindi 2.9per cent , Tanga 2.4 per cent , Manyara 1.5 per cent, Unguja 1.2 per cent  and Pemba 0.3 per cent.

Mrisho said they are aware of patients who, due to little understanding of the impact of disease, stop using medical treatment and shift to alternative treatment which is not good for their health,” she said.

The chairman added that 99.8 per cent of Tanzanians are aware of HIV though some do not trust medical treatment, noting that much expectation is in health education on how to stay free from HIV and how to use medicines for those who are affected.