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In 2011, FACT with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH incepted a project “Strengthening HIV prevention among youths in Manicaland and Mashonaland West Provinces” targeting young people aged 15-24 years in Mutare rural, Makonde and Zvimba districts. The goal of the project is to contribute to the reduction of high-risk behaviour among youth and to increase access to appropriate health services. To achieve maximum effect of HIV prevention and among youth, a combination of feasible and acceptable interventions is offered in selected locations. Key elements of combination prevention such as tailored behaviour change communication tools are used as entry points in the communities to create demand among youth to access SRH information and services. Central to accessing health information and for demand creation is the Join-In Circuit on HIV, Love & Sexuality (JIC), community peer education and clinic based Youth friendly Corners (YFC). In 2013 FACT took over from GIZ the coordination of the JIC in Zimbabwe.

Since November 2012 till December 2014, 1 871 girls and 1 419 boys aged 15-24 visited youth friendly corner for SRH information at Marange hospital in Manicaland Province and 3 455 girls and 3 590 boys at Alaska and Rafingora youth friendly corners in Mashonaland West Province. In the same period FACT has conducted a total of 103 JIC runs reaching to 1 703 girls and 2 006 boys in and out of school in Mutare rural (Manicaland Province) and 1 347 girls and 1 781 boys in Makonde and Zvimba districts (Mashonaland West Province).

Some critical achievements attained till December 2014 are as follows:

HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) at mobile outreaches after JIC runs: 32% girls and 32.4% boys in Manicaland Province and 63% girls and 52.1% boys in Mashonaland West Province.

The HTC uptake by young people at Marange hospital stood at 15.8% for females and 11.9% for males whereas in Alaska and Rafingora clinics the HTC uptake was 16.3% for females and 13.8% for males.

  • 3 support groups for adolescents living with HIV were established in the two provinces.
  • An average of 47.65 % immediate knowledge increase after a JIC run was achieved and this was measured through pre and post tests.

You can download the additional items:

JIC Standards

JIC Flyer.