HIV and STI prevention initiatives in Africa

Health authorities in Nigeria and Zimbabwe are implementing various strategies to combat HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In Nigeria, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the World Health Organization have focused on addressing misinformation and stigma, urging media professionals to avoid sensationalist reporting that might deter people from seeking care. NACA has also highlighted the availability of prevention tools, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and a pilot program for lenacapavir.

In Nigeria’s Anambra State, the Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has expanded prevention efforts by establishing the ‘Campus Action Committee on AIDS’ across 27 tertiary institutions to integrate awareness and support services into university life.

In Zimbabwe, the National AIDS Council (NAC) reported a decline in STI cases in Harare Province, which have dropped to fewer than 2,000 cases per quarter. Officials attributed this trend to community-based and peer-led interventions, though they noted that adolescents and young women aged 15 to 24 remain disproportionately affected by new infections.