What is Boost in Zimbabwe?

Building on Avert’s existing Boost platform, Boost in Zimbabwe has been increasing the number of young people (aged 10-24) accessing HIV, sexual health, family planning, Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) and mental health services in four provinces in Zimbabwe - reaching over 224,000 young people by April 2024.

The project is a partnership between Avert and national Zimbabwean HIV organisation OPHID. In partnership with OPHID’s cadre of community health workers we have developed new content, including content in Shona and Ndebele, and screening tools that have been locally validated and endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Childcare.

Using Boost to guide them, a specialised cadre of community health workers called Community Outreach Agents (COAs) have carried out over 224,000 screenings and made over 93,000 referrals among young people to increase their uptake of essential health services. Until now COAs have lacked a tool to help them provide information and advice, screening and referrals in a single client interaction.

Why has it been developed?

Data from Zimbabwe show very poor rates of HIV diagnosis among children and young people, which means this group is a priority for HIV services.

Young people face a range of often interrelated conditions where they need more knowledge, skills, support and sometimes referral for treatment. Along with HIV and STIs these include contraception, mental health, and FGS.

Recognising community health workers’ often very limited training, the Ministry of Health and Child Care is keen to support COAs continued learning and development, and recognises the value of digital information.

Boost is already a convenient way for community health workers to access up-to-date, reliable and accessible information on HIV, sexual health and related issues. With new content and screening tools supporting COAs’ interaction with young people, Boost is addressing the knowledge-gaps of young Zimbabweans and improving their uptake of sexual health services.

When the Boost application came in, it was a life saver for us. Why do I say so? Because when you're out there in the community you need to communicate, to deliver correct information to the client… Boost has helped to incorporate youth – they had been feeling left out.

How is Boost making a difference?

Boost in Zimbabwe aims to:

improve COAs’ knowledge, skills and confidence on HIV, sexual health, family planning, FGS and mental health
provide COAs improved screening and referral tools and processes to support young people’s access to HIV, sexual health, family planning, FGS and mental health services
improve young people’s capability, knowledge of, and demand for HIV, sexual health, family planning, FGS and mental health services

Topline findings from the project’s endline survey indicate improved knowledge and awareness, and increased confidence among Boost users.

● 97% said they were equipped with the HIV testing and STI information they needed.

● 97% agreed that Boost is helpful in providing health knowledge.

● 90% said Boost gives them confidence to do their daily routine duties.

● 87% said Boost helps them interact with young people in their communities.

Routine health facility data has also shown an increase in HIV self-tests, facility HIV tests, and STI service uptake in those districts where Boost has been adopted. These findings highlight Boost’s effectiveness in supporting CHWs’ confidence and effectiveness and improving service uptake and community health.

The long-term aim is that Boost will be scaled up across Zimbabwe, with the support of the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Boost results in Zimbabwe


Screenings using Boost: 224,000+

Referrals using Boost: 93,000+

of users say Boost helps their interactions with young people: 87%

Photo credit: Hilton Matyatya. Photos are used for illustrative purposes. They do not imply health status or behaviour.