The prevalence of HIV-Aids infections continue to drop in Arusha and Manyara regions, the two northern zone precincts that have already been recording low prevalence in recent years.

This came to light on Wednesday, last week at Kansay Village at the center of Mbulu and Karatu Districts, during the occasion in which the 'Freedom Torch' was being handed over from Manyara where it had completed its race and advanced to Arusha.

The Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mr Magessa Mulongo said the HIV and Aids prevalence in his region currently stands at 1.49 percent according to figures noted in June 2013. The prevalence rate has dropped by about 0.5 percent from the previous 1.6 percent as recorded in July 2012.

Manyara Regional Commissioner Mr Eraston Mbwilo said the average HIV-Aids prevalence in his precinct at the moment stands at 1.2 percent down from the previous 1.5 percent.

Manyara consistently had the lowest HIV infections on the mainland Tanzania.

"When the Uhuru torch returns here next year (2014), we are confident that the HIV-Aids prevalence in Manyara will have gone down even further to be less than 1 percent," stated Mr Mbwilo.

As for the Arusha Region, a total of 122,442 people among them 70,313 women and 52,129 males, have voluntarily been testing for HIV-Aids between July last year and June 2013.

"Out of those, 1,834 were found to be HIV Positive and among the victims there were 989 women and 845 males, but we would like to assure them that the government will always take care of HIV positive people in terms of medication and other essential health services," assured Mr Mulongo.

Current status of HIV and AIDS in Tanzania

The third Tanzania HIV and Malaria Indicator Survey 2011 - 2012 (THMIS III) HIV prevalence data were obtained from blood samples voluntarily provided by a total of 20,811 women and men interviewed. Of the eligible women and men age 15-49, 90% of women and 79% of men provided specimens for HIV testing, according to the Tanzania Commission on Aids (TACAIDS) website.

Overall, 5.1% of Tanzanians age 15-49 are HIV-positive. HIV prevalence is higher among women (6.2%) than among men (3.8%). HIV prevalence is higher in urban areas for both women and men than in rural areas.

A comparison of the 2007-08 THMIS and 2011-12 THMIS HIV prevalence estimates indicate that HIV prevalence has declined slightly from 5.7% to 5.1% among adults age 15-49. Similarly, HIV prevalence has declined among women, from 6.6% to 6.2%, and among men, from 4.6% to 3.8%.

In Mainland Tanzania, HIV prevalence among women and men age 15-49 has decreased from 7.0% in the 2003-04 THIS to 5.3% in the 2011-12 THMIS. The decline in total HIV prevalence between 2003-04 and 2011-12 is statistically significant. Additionally, the decline is significant among men (6.3% versus 3.9%).

HIV-Aids infections are sometimes believed to be fueled by narcotic drugs. As far as Arusha is concerned, the region has managed to impound 77,582 kilograms of bhang (marijuana), 22,173 kilograms of Khat weed and nearly 800 grams of cocaine in the last ten months.

The narcotic drugs' rackets have also led to the arrest of 374 culprits among them 244 males and 130 female suspects. There are also 140 criminal cases related to drugs that have been taken to court so far.