Determinants of HIV&AIDS Infection among Farm Workers in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe: The Pre-2015 Picture

HIV&AIDS remains one of the most pressing global health challenges, significantly affecting the lives of millions worldwide. The epidemic's complex interplay with socio-economic factors, such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare, continues to shape its trajectory. The note reflects on the progress made, the ongoing challenges, and the future directions in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly among marginalised communities such as farm workers in Zimbabwe . Globally, 2023 marked a critical year in the epidemiology of HIV&AIDS. Anestimated 39.9 million people were living with HIV, a figure that underscores the persistent burden of the disease. In the same year, 1.3 million individuals became newly infected, highlighting the ongoing need for robust prevention strategies. The death toll from AIDS-related illnesses reached 630,000, a stark reminder of the fatal consequences of the disease when untreated. However, there were significant advancements in treatment, with 30.7 million people accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), a lifesaving intervention that has transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition. Since the beginning of the epidemic, an estimated 88.4 million people have been infected with HIV, and 42.3 million have died from AIDS-related illnesses. These statistics reflect the scale and impact of the epidemic over the past four decades. In 2023, women and girls accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections globally, with this figure rising to 62% in sub-Saharan Africa. This region remains the hardest hit, with over 68% of the global HIV burden. Every week, 4,000adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years were newly infected with HIV globally, with 3,100 of these infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. These figures highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions addressing the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls in this region