Zimbabwe is one of the priority countries nominated by the World Health Organisation and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS to adopt and implement voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) because of its high rate of HIV prevalence and its low level of male circumcision. VMMC, which was introduced in Zimbabwe in 2009, is a new HIV prevention method which reportedly offers partial protection of about 60 percent for circumcised males with respect to contracting HIV through sexual relations. The other key prevention method, namely the use of condoms consistently and correctly, has a protection rate of up to 95 percent. As a result, because of only partial protection, medically-circumcised men are encouraged to use condoms to decrease the chances of HIV infection. Concerns though have been raised about the possibility of risk compensation by circumcised males by way of increases in unsafe or risky sexual practices subsequent to circumcision and arising from perceptions of reduced risk through VMMC. This compensation may take the form of condom use aversion including when involved with concurrent sexual partners. If risk compensation does take place, this would lead to increases in HIV transmissions affecting not only the circumcised men but their sexual partners as well. The supposed effectiveness of VMMC as a HIV prevention method has been subjected to significant criticism and, as yet, no significant study has been undertaken in Zimbabwe on the relationship between VMMC, condom use, concurrent sexual partners and risk compensation. Based on a study of twenty-five medically-circumcised males in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, this thesis seeks to understand and explain the relationship between voluntary medical male circumcision and risky sexual practices with particular reference to condom use amongst men engaged in concurrent sexual partnerships. While the thesis finds evidence of risky sexual practices subsequent to circumcision, risk compensation does not seem to be particularly prevalent.

Effective linkage to HIV care and treatment for all people diagnosed with HIV is crucial if positive treatment outcomes are to be realised. The study used the client records for all those newly diagnosed with HIV through the two entry points for HIV testing between January 2016 and December 2016. The aim of the study was to determine the proportions between the linkages to HIV care and treatment as per entry point for the people diagnosed with HIV at a Norton Health Centre in Zimbabwe. More importantly, the study sought to make recommendations to improve linkage per entry point. This was achieved through determining the proportion of individuals diagnosed with HIV that had documented evidence of linkage to HIV care and treatment by entry point. The study also evaluated the association between the entry point of HIV diagnosis and the linkage to HIV care and treatment.. In total, 239 clients’ records were reviewed who were over the age of 16 years. Overall, 144 (60%) had documented evidence of being linked to HIV care while about 95 (40%) of the client records had no documented evidence of linkage to HIV care. 143(60%) had documented evidence of initiation on antiretroviral therapy (ART) while about 96 (40%) had no documented evidence of initiation on ART. A statistically significant association between entry point for HIV diagnosis and the linkage to HIV care and treatment was demonstrated. A statistically significant higher proportion of females was demonstrated to be linked to HIV care and treatment than for males. The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) entry point showed higher linkages than OPD and wards entry point. Therefore, there is need to make put measures in place that encourage all clients that are diagnosed with HIV through the various entry points at the health centre to be linked to HIV care and treatment. The study made recommendations based on the findings. It is also recommended that male partners be encouraged to accompany their female expectant partners when attending PMTCT sessions. Youth were found to be lower in terms of linkages and the youth user friendly centre is recommended so as to attract more youths to come for testing. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The study examined the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents infected with HIV and AIDS. This was a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews and observation. The sampling method used was purposive and it entailed 10 adolescents (4 boys and 6 girls) who are living with HIV at Chiedza Child Care Centre in Zimbabwe. This study revealed that adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs are the desire to have sex, desire to have children, the need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy and care and treatment support. However, their knowledge of HIV and AIDS was inadequate. Adolescents also revealed their lack of proper information regarding their health care and treatment needs. However, adolescents illustrated an adequate knowledge of the services available for them for their health, treatment and care needs. The study recommended that there is need to strengthen the provision of information and services on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health issues. The study also recommended that counsellors should improve their counselling skills so that they can empower adolescents living with HIV to be able to negotiate condom usage, matters of dating and handling relationships. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)

The study examined the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents infected with HIV and AIDS. This was a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews and observation. The sampling method used was purposive and it entailed 10 adolescents (4 boys and 6 girls) who are living with HIV at Chiedza Child Care Centre in Zimbabwe. This study revealed that adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs are the desire to have sex, desire to have children, the need for prevention of unwanted pregnancy and care and treatment support. However, their knowledge of HIV and AIDS was inadequate. Adolescents also revealed their lack of proper information regarding their health care and treatment needs. However, adolescents illustrated an adequate knowledge of the services available for them for their health, treatment and care needs. The study recommended that there is need to strengthen the provision of information and services on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health issues. The study also recommended that counsellors should improve their counselling skills so that they can empower adolescents living with HIV to be able to negotiate condom usage, matters of dating and handling relationships. / Sociology / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)