Umguza tops STI list

It's official, Umguza District has the highest number of people with Sexual Transmitted Infections STIs in Matabeleland North.

The tiny district has overtaken traditional STI hubs in the province that include Hwange, Tsholotsho and Binga.

Speaking during a workshop at a local hotel on Tuesday, NAC Matabeleland North Provincial AIDS Coordinator, Dingaan Ncube said about 8 000 people were treated for STIs in Matabeleland North Province between October and December 2014.

He said Umguza accounted for 24 percent of the people treated adding there was more unprotected sex in the district due to gold panning, which he says had introduced more money and loose morals in the district.

Ncube said Umguza has recorded the highest number because it is a peri urban district where a lot of prostitutes flock in search of gold panners who often pay more for sex.

He said surveys had shown a majority of gold panners preferred unprotected sex.

Ncube said HIV prevalence rate was at 18 percent in the province and most HIV positive people were found in Tsholotsho.

"Tsholotsho recorded HIV prevalence rate of 19,5 percent, Hwange 20 percent and Umguza 19 percent," said Ncube.