The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
PEOPLE that are 50 years and above are at high risk of getting infected by HIV and AIDS, as they are likely to be reluctant to use “protective measures”, a health expert has said.
Speaking during a science café organised by the Health Communicators Forum of Zimbabwe, World Health Organisation (WHO) technical lead for the Healthier Populations Programme Dr Trevor Kanyowa said older people mostly do not like to use protective measures.
“The number of older people living with HIV is growing and this is happening in Zimbabwe, as well as other countries in other regions and globally,” he said.
“Whilst we know that even at younger age groups HIV is still being acquired, we have also noticed that the risk of acquiring it at older age has increased.
“This is because of the information people have, such as the general belief that HIV is for the younger people, so, therefore, older people are less likely to use protective measures as compared to the younger generation.”
HIV clinician Dr Cleophas Chimbetete said there is a need to include older people in HIV campaigns.
“Let’s include the elderly people, realising they are at risk of new infections.
“Let’s also offer HIV testing when we see elderly people coming to health facilities for whatever medical reason, because we have noticed a delay in diagnosis, because some of the symptoms in this age group mimic old age,” said Dr Chimbetete.
