Drop noted in Zimbabwe HIV cases

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The United Nations says the percentage of HIV-AIDS infections in Zimbabwe's 15-49 age group fell 20.1 percent in the last two years.

Zimbabwe is one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to record such a decline, reports the BBC. The U.N. survey attributed it to changing sexual behavior and higher rate of condom use.

While the 20.1-percent rate is 5 percentage points less than two year ago, the state-run Herald newspaper noted that 3,000 Zimbabweans die each week of AIDS-related illnesses.

"Girls are now delaying when it comes to starting sexual activity and almost everyone in the country has an understanding of what HIV is all about," said Health Minister David Parirenyatwa.

But the report said that since a large number of people already have the virus, a drop in infection rates will take a decade to translate into lower mortality rates.