News / Health
STIs on the rise in Zimbabwe, Masvingo topping the list
21 Apr 2012 at 23:32hrs | Views
Zimbabwe has recorded a sharp increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with Masvingo topping the list of the country's 10 provinces.
The National Aids Council (Nac) 2011 Annual Report shows that STI cases rose from about 250 000 in 2010 to 303 388 last year.
Masvingo recorded 53 611 cases last year alone. Of these, 44 281 were new, and the remainder were repeats. The province accounted for 48 712 cases in 2010. Urethral and vaginal discharge, genital ulcers, syphilis, pelvic inflammatory disease, buboes without ulcers and genital warts were some of the common infections.
Nac chief executive Dr Tapuwa Magure said his organisation was working alongside other stakeholders to determine the reasons behind the marked increase in the cases across the country.
He said awareness campaigns were among the strategies that would soon be rolled out.
"We are working with Population Services International (PSI), the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to increase sexual reproductive health and behaviour change awareness," he said.
"We are also going to conduct refresher courses for health workers as a way to reduce this problem."
Dr Magure said the situation in Masvingo was of great concern, adding that prompt action was required to contain the infections.
"The STI incidence in Masvingo is worrying. This calls for immediate attention from all stakeholders involved in order to curb this problem.
"We are carrying out a study to find out whether people in that province have a tendency of practising unsafe sex or whether they have a good health-seeking behaviour unlike people in other provinces."
According to the Nac report, Bikita, Zaka, Chiredzi, Mwenezi as well as Masvingo rural and urban were the worst affected districts.
The cases increased in districts such as Chivi, Chiredzi and Mwenezi during the cotton-selling season, reads part of the report. Health experts attribute the high incidence of
sexually transmitted infections to the lengthy separation of partners, lack of knowledge on condom use as well as alcohol and substance abuse.
The National Aids Council (Nac) 2011 Annual Report shows that STI cases rose from about 250 000 in 2010 to 303 388 last year.
Masvingo recorded 53 611 cases last year alone. Of these, 44 281 were new, and the remainder were repeats. The province accounted for 48 712 cases in 2010. Urethral and vaginal discharge, genital ulcers, syphilis, pelvic inflammatory disease, buboes without ulcers and genital warts were some of the common infections.
Nac chief executive Dr Tapuwa Magure said his organisation was working alongside other stakeholders to determine the reasons behind the marked increase in the cases across the country.
He said awareness campaigns were among the strategies that would soon be rolled out.
"We are working with Population Services International (PSI), the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to increase sexual reproductive health and behaviour change awareness," he said.
"We are also going to conduct refresher courses for health workers as a way to reduce this problem."
Dr Magure said the situation in Masvingo was of great concern, adding that prompt action was required to contain the infections.
"The STI incidence in Masvingo is worrying. This calls for immediate attention from all stakeholders involved in order to curb this problem.
"We are carrying out a study to find out whether people in that province have a tendency of practising unsafe sex or whether they have a good health-seeking behaviour unlike people in other provinces."
According to the Nac report, Bikita, Zaka, Chiredzi, Mwenezi as well as Masvingo rural and urban were the worst affected districts.
The cases increased in districts such as Chivi, Chiredzi and Mwenezi during the cotton-selling season, reads part of the report. Health experts attribute the high incidence of
sexually transmitted infections to the lengthy separation of partners, lack of knowledge on condom use as well as alcohol and substance abuse.
Source - SM
