A new research has revealed that almost half of students at the University of Zimbabwe are HIV positive.

The voluntary testing exercise carried out earlier this month showed than 47 % of the students had the deadly HIV virus, which prompted the institution to move with speed and introduce measures to prevent free interaction of female and male students within the university.

Reacting to the results, University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Levi Nyagura said that criticism of his management style would not deter him from limiting contact between male and female students as well as strongly advising against promiscuity.

“The grim statistics of sexually transmitted diseases at the institution have forced us to have a limit for inter-residence visits between female and male students. We have consulted lots of parents and all of them do not want to promote promiscuity by allowing students to enjoy married lifestyles by staying with their girlfriends in the halls of residence,” Nyagura said.

The shocking statistics have sent shocking waves across the university with many students opting to quit studies as they fear for the worst.

Ciurrently, Zimbabwe is among the many countries in Africa with highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. It is estimated that over 15 % of the people living in Zimbabwe have contracted the virus.

Swaziland, whose President is King Mswati III leads in terms of HIV prevalency.More than 27 % of people in Swaziland are HIV positive.