10,963
edits
Gynopedia needs your support! Please consider contributing content, translating a page, or making a donation today. With your support, we can sustain and expand the website. Gynopedia has no corporate sponsors or advertisers. Your support is crucial and deeply appreciated.
Zimbabwe: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Laws & Social Stigmas
| (5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
Contraception is widely used in Zimbabwe and, in fact, Zimbabwean women have higher rates of contraceptive usage than nearly all other African countries, with the exception of [[Morocco]] and the island nations of [[Mauritius]] and [[Réunion]]. In Eastern Africa, Zimbabwe has the highest rate of contraceptive usage overall. However, it should be understood that not all Zimbabwean women have adequate access to contraceptives, and 11.4% of Zimbabwean women still have unmet family planning needs.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> | Contraception is widely used in Zimbabwe and, in fact, Zimbabwean women have higher rates of contraceptive usage than nearly all other African countries, with the exception of [[Morocco]] and the island nations of [[Mauritius]] and [[Réunion]]. In Eastern Africa, Zimbabwe has the highest rate of contraceptive usage overall. However, it should be understood that not all Zimbabwean women have adequate access to contraceptives, and 11.4% of Zimbabwean women still have unmet family planning needs.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> | ||
Women in Zimbabwe may not always have autonomy regarding health decisions. A United Nations report, released in 2019, found that only 57% of women in Zimbabwe were able to make their own choices regarding their reproductive health and rights (which include sexual intercourse with their partner, contraception use and health care).<ref>[https://www.chronicle.co.zw/only-60percent-of-zimbabwe-women-have-say-in-safer-sex-negotiations/ ‘Only 60percent of Zimbabwe women have say in safer sex negotiations’]</ref> | |||
For Zimbabwean women, the vast majority who use contraceptives tend to use birth control pills. According to a 2015 report, the most common forms of contraception for Zimbabwean women (who are married and of reproductive age) are birth control pills (42.8%), contraceptive injectables (8.8%) and contraceptive implants (8.2%). There are generally low rates of usage of condoms (3.2%), female sterilization (0.9%), IUDs (0.4%) and vaginal barrier methods (0.2%). The traditional family planning methods, such as withdrawal (0.6%) and rhythm method (0.2%), are extremely uncommon.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> | For Zimbabwean women, the vast majority who use contraceptives tend to use birth control pills. According to a 2015 report, the most common forms of contraception for Zimbabwean women (who are married and of reproductive age) are birth control pills (42.8%), contraceptive injectables (8.8%) and contraceptive implants (8.2%). There are generally low rates of usage of condoms (3.2%), female sterilization (0.9%), IUDs (0.4%) and vaginal barrier methods (0.2%). The traditional family planning methods, such as withdrawal (0.6%) and rhythm method (0.2%), are extremely uncommon.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref> | ||
| Line 54: | Line 56: | ||
Generally speaking, Zimbabwe is considered to have a "high prevalence" of HIV. In 2016, it was estimated that 13.5% of the population was living with HIV/AIDS and that 74% of infected adults were on antiretroviral treatment. The most common form of transmission was unprotected heterosexual sex.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe Avert: HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe]</ref> However, certain populations experienced higher rates of infections, including sex workers (57.1% infection rate), men who have sex with men (also known as "MSM") and prisoners (28% infection rate).<ref>[http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/zimbabwe UNAIDS - Zimbabwe]</ref> When sex workers or MSM have sought out treatment or care for HIV in Zimbabwe, especially when they have developed efforts specifically to serve their communities, they have often encountered barriers, including intimidation, arrests and condom confiscation from police. Sex work and homosexuality are illegal in Zimbabwe, and police often respond with intimidation and arrests.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe Avert: HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe]</ref> | Generally speaking, Zimbabwe is considered to have a "high prevalence" of HIV. In 2016, it was estimated that 13.5% of the population was living with HIV/AIDS and that 74% of infected adults were on antiretroviral treatment. The most common form of transmission was unprotected heterosexual sex.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe Avert: HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe]</ref> However, certain populations experienced higher rates of infections, including sex workers (57.1% infection rate), men who have sex with men (also known as "MSM") and prisoners (28% infection rate).<ref>[http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/zimbabwe UNAIDS - Zimbabwe]</ref> When sex workers or MSM have sought out treatment or care for HIV in Zimbabwe, especially when they have developed efforts specifically to serve their communities, they have often encountered barriers, including intimidation, arrests and condom confiscation from police. Sex work and homosexuality are illegal in Zimbabwe, and police often respond with intimidation and arrests.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe Avert: HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe]</ref> | ||
For women in Zimbabwe, STI prevention can be difficult, who often encounter gender inequality in marriages in relationships. For example, only 68% of Zimbabwean men believe that women have the right to refuse intercourse if they know the man is having sex with other women. Furthermore, only 8 out of 10 Zimbabwean women believe that they have the right to ask their partner to use a condom if the partner has a sexually-transmitted disease.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe Avert: HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe]</ref> | For women in Zimbabwe, STI prevention can be difficult, who often encounter gender inequality in marriages and in relationships. For example, only 68% of Zimbabwean men believe that women have the right to refuse intercourse if they know the man is having sex with other women. Furthermore, only 8 out of 10 Zimbabwean women believe that they have the right to ask their partner to use a condom if the partner has a sexually-transmitted disease.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe Avert: HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe]</ref> | ||
In Zimbabwe, HIV transmission rates have been dropping -- for example, 79,000 people contracted HIV in 2010 compared to 40,000 in 2016. Furthermore, the number of people who have died due to AIDS-related illness has also declined in recent years. However, HIV/AIDS remains a serious issue for the country. Currently, the majority of HIV expenditures in the country (an estimated 75%) | In Zimbabwe, HIV transmission rates have been dropping -- for example, 79,000 people contracted HIV in 2010 compared to 40,000 in 2016. Furthermore, the number of people who have died due to AIDS-related illness has also declined in recent years. However, HIV/AIDS remains a serious issue for the country. Currently, the majority of HIV expenditures in the country (an estimated 75%) come from international donors.<ref>[https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe Avert: HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe]</ref> | ||
===Testing Facilities=== | ===Testing Facilities=== | ||
| Line 71: | Line 73: | ||
====Public Councils & NGOs==== | ====Public Councils & NGOs==== | ||
It is estimated that about over 1600 facilities provide free integrated HIV testing and counseling in Zimbabwe.<ref>[http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/story-3/ | |||
HIV self-testing kits get green light]</ref> Below, we have listed some NGOs, clinics and centers that provide free or low-cost testing. However, this is just a small glimpse into the options available, which are wide-ranging and extensive. | HIV self-testing kits get green light]</ref> Below, we have listed some NGOs, clinics and centers that provide free or low-cost testing. However, this is just a small glimpse into the options available, which are wide-ranging and extensive. | ||
| Line 112: | Line 114: | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
* The Butterfly Menstrual Cup is $15 USD (as of November 2017). | |||
==Gynecological Exams== | ==Gynecological Exams== | ||
| Line 140: | Line 144: | ||
In Zimbabwe, abortion is only permitted in certain cases, which are the following: if the pregnancy endangers the life or physical health of the woman, if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or if the fetus has a serious risk of impairment.<ref>[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/2797/zimbabwe Women on Waves: Zimbabwe]</ref> In all other cases, abortion is illegal. In order for an abortion to be legal, it must be performed in specific institutions that are designated for abortions. Furthermore, the superintendent of the institution must approve of the abortion. | In Zimbabwe, abortion is only permitted in certain cases, which are the following: if the pregnancy endangers the life or physical health of the woman, if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or if the fetus has a serious risk of impairment.<ref>[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/2797/zimbabwe Women on Waves: Zimbabwe]</ref> In all other cases, abortion is illegal. In order for an abortion to be legal, it must be performed in specific institutions that are designated for abortions. Furthermore, the superintendent of the institution must approve of the abortion. | ||
For more information, you can read a report from the Guttmacher Institute: [https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2018/10/abortion-zimbabwe-national-study-incidence-induced-abortion-unintended-pregnancy-and Abortion in Zimbabwe: A National Study of the Incidence of Induced Abortion, Unintended Pregnancy and Post-Abortion Care in 2016] | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||