Fighting against HIV and AIDS within a resource constrained rural setting: a case study of the Ruvheneko Programme in Chirumhanzu, Zimbabwe

Christina Tafadzwa Dzimiri,Patrick Dzimiri,Kezia Batisai

doi:10.1080/17290376.2019.1605537

Christina Tafadzwa Dzimiri, Patrick Dzimiri + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1080/17290376.2019.1605537

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Journal: SAHARA-J:	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2019
Citations: 3	License type: open-access

Affiliation: University of Johannesburg, University of Venda

Abstract

ABSTRACTSince reports of the first incidence of the HIV virus in Zimbabwe in 1985, the epidemic has negatively impacted on every facet of human security. Rural areas, by virtue of being the periphery and constrained in terms of resources and health care provision, bear the brunt of the epidemic. In light of the above background, this paper examined how the establishment of Ruvheneko Programme by the people of Chirumhanzu helped in mitigating on the impact of HIV and AIDS in the rural sphere. The paper analyses how the community of Chirumhanzu successfully engaged each other to the extent of coming up with such a vibrant programme. This is raised against the backdrop of failure usually associated with HIV and AIDS engagement projects. The study made use of field interviews and focus group discussions as data collection instruments. Participants were purposively selected on the basis of their knowledge and participation in the establishment and activities of Ruvheneko Programme. Selected were 5 St Theresa’s Hospital Staff, 10 Roman Catholic Church members of which, 5 were from the St Anna’s woman prayer group and 5 men from St Joseph’s men prayer group, 1 village head and 2 elders from the same nearby village constituted key informants. Complementing the use of interviews and focus group discussions was the analysis of secondary data sources on HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe as well as the Ruvheneko Programme. To understand the collective role of various sectors of the community in establishing Ruvheneko Programme, the paper derives insights from the perspective of social capital theory and its notion of commonality to strengthen communities. Findings from the study show that, unlike other HIV and AIDS programmes that are exported from the urban to the rural areas, Ruvheneko Programme demonstrates a grassroots-level response to HIV and AIDS. Again, social cohesion fostered by aspects such as religiosity, cultural ethos of Ubuntu, and a consultative approach played a key role in unifying people towards fighting HIV and AIDS in Rural Chirumhanzu.

Highlights

Introduction and backgroundThe first report on HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe was in 1985 where an estimated 119 cases of HIV infections were recorded countrywide (Broom & O’Brien, 2011; Mapenzauswa, 2004; Rembe, 2006; United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS [UNAIDS], 2014; Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP), 2006– 2010)
The aim of the study was to examine the initiatives that were put in place in establishing the Ruvheneko Programme and this was discussed in the context of the fact that Ruvheneko has been cited in newspapers and academic writings as a model of response to the human security threats posed by HIV and AIDS in resource constrained rural settings in Zimbabwe (CDC, 2003)
The establishment of the Ruvheneko Programme demonstrates an interesting dimension of community engagement in the fight against HIV and AIDS as the tripartite partnership consisting of the Mission Hospital staff, the Church, and the community joined hands in mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS in the area

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and backgroundThe first report on HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe was in 1985 where an estimated 119 cases of HIV infections were recorded countrywide (Broom & O’Brien, 2011; Mapenzauswa, 2004; Rembe, 2006; United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS [UNAIDS], 2014; Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP), 2006– 2010). The HIV and AIDS epidemic spread rapidly throughout the country and the mode of transmission has been mainly heterosexual contact which constitutes 92%, while perinatal transmission accounts for 7% and others 1% (Rembe, 2006; ZNASP, 2006– 2010). A study conducted in 2003 by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reveals that 1.3 million children were orphaned due to HIV and AIDS related cases, and 30% of these orphans were from rural and high density areas (UNICEF, 2003). Studies on the human security ramifications of HIV and AIDS demonstrated that the epidemic increases stress upon seriously affected families, societies, and may undermine the state’s capacity to provide the security needs of the country (Prince-Smith, 2007)

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