Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
THE National AIDS Council (NAC) is strengthening HIV prevention efforts among young people through peer education programmes, with the Brother-to-Brother initiative emerging as a key intervention targeting boys and young men aged between 10 and 24 years.
The programme comes as health authorities identify the 10 to 24-year age group as one of the most vulnerable to HIV infection, prompting renewed efforts to promote behavioural change, improve awareness and reduce new infections.
NAC says rising sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates among young people highlight the need for targeted interventions that speak directly to the realities facing adolescents and youth.
“The STI infections among the 10 to 24 age group, as you can see in the graph, continue to increase. Some of these infections could be fuelled by the fact that young people are experimenting amongst themselves while also interacting with the older age group,” said NAC Magwegwe District Coordinator, Mr Kenneth Ncube.
The Brother-to-Brother programme uses peer mentorship and edutainment approaches to engage young people on issues such as HIV prevention, sexual health, drug and substance abuse, and responsible decision-making.
Participants and mentors say the initiative is helping to steer young people away from risky behaviour.
“This programme has reduced exposure of young boys to things like drug and substance abuse, which directly fuel HIV infections,” said one mentor.
Some beneficiaries credited the programme with transforming their lives.
“Before coming here, I used to take drugs, and I was very disrespectful at home,” said one participant.
Another beneficiary added: “I used to take drugs like mbanje because I thought it was cool. I am now clean, but our greatest challenge is life after this programme. Some of us have graduated, and we no longer have anything to do. I feel that idleness can quickly cause us to relapse.”
Beyond HIV prevention, the initiative also provides opportunities for talent identification and personal development among young people.
NAC said the programme deliberately focuses on boys and young men, a group often overlooked in health and social interventions despite evidence showing elevated HIV vulnerability within the age bracket.
“We noticed boys were being left behind. Brother-to-Brother brings them into the conversation so we leave no one behind in the fight against HIV,” Mr Ncube said.
Community stakeholders say investing in young men is critical to securing long-term gains in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“This is about our future. If we protect boys today, we protect the nation tomorrow,” said Ms Vezimpilo Ncube.
As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to curb new HIV infections, peer-led programmes such as Brother-to-Brother are increasingly being viewed as effective tools for empowering young people with the knowledge and support needed to make informed life choices.
