Knowing your status through Rapid Testing and practicing safer sex are critical aspects of prevention in the fight against HIV/AIDS—and AHF recently put those prevention efforts on display and into action at the sold-out Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
AHF, in partnership with the National AIDS Council, joined over 800 exhibitors at the five-day business expo which attracted representatives from 14 countries and nearly 8,000 attendees.
“We had a captive audience at the fair, so it’s an excellent opportunity for AHF to reach many people at once,” said AHF Zimbabwe Prevention Officer Siphathisiwe Sibanda. “Zimbabwe has approximately 1.3 million people living with HIV, which makes it even more important to connect with as many people as possible. Events like these are critical to help people know their status and provide them with vital education about staying healthy!”
Over 1,400 people visited the AHF booth for free rapid HIV testing, training sessions led by prevention staff on safe condom use and information about free healthcare services. As always, free condoms were handed out, along with AHF swag – which is always a hit!
In total, AHF tested 725 people for HIV and distributed over 13,000 AHF-branded LOVE and ICON condoms.
