Lusaka Province has the highest HIV prevalence at 14.4 percent followed by Western at 13.6 percent and Southern at 13.2 percent, according to the Zambia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (ZAMPHA) report.
Copperbelt is at 11.9 percent, Central 11.7 percent, Eastern 9.2 percent, Luapula 8.2 percent, North-Western 6.8 percent, Muchinga 6.6 and least being Northern at 5.8 percent.
The report also indicates new cases of HIV of 0.8 percent among young women aged 15-24, more than double the rate in the general population.
Further, the proportion of homes with a person living with HIV is higher among female-headed households than male-headed ones.
Speaking during the launch and dissemination of the ZAMPHA 2021 final report, Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said 89 percent of Zambians are aware of their HIV status and are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with 96 percent achieving viral suppression.
She further said only 79.8 percent of men access HIV testing services, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to reach this demographic.