The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) presented findings from the study “Characteristics of Men Diagnosed with Recent HIV in Zambia,” conducted between January 2020 and September 2024.

Chipo Nkwemu shared the study findings at the 16th Annual HIV/TB/STI/Viral Hepatitis Conference.

The findings highlighted a high proportion of new HIV infections among men, with Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces being the most affected.

The study revealed that most of these cases were in men aged 30 years and older, underscoring the vulnerability of this age group.

The study used Index testing as the primary modality for identifying recent cases. (Index testing was found to be the primary modality for identifying recent cases)

The study recommends implementing age- and gender-sensitive counselling, prioritising targeted HIV prevention for men, and launching tailored awareness campaigns.

These findings emphasise the urgent need for focused interventions to curb new HIV infections among men. CIDRZ remains dedicated to advancing research and implementing strategies to combat the HIV epidemic in Zambia.