Bulawayo records spike in new STI cases

Bulawayo province has recorded a sharp rise in new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during the third quarter of 2025, prompting concern from health authorities over continued unprotected sexual activity, the National Aids Council (Nac) has said.

The surge was highlighted by Bulawayo Nac provincial coordinator Douglass Moyo during a media engagement in Esigodini last week. He warned that untreated STIs increase susceptibility to HIV infection, stressing the critical link between STI prevention and HIV control.

"So HIV prevention is very critical to STIs like syphilis, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia, which increase HIV susceptibility and serve as markers for high-risk behaviour," Moyo said. He noted that anyone presenting with an STI at a clinic or private facility is clear evidence of exposure through unprotected sexual activity.

According to Nac data, Bulawayo recorded 2,194 new STI cases in the first quarter of 2025, with 4% testing HIV-positive, and 344 sexual contacts treated. In the second quarter, new cases declined to 1,400, with the HIV-positive rate remaining at 4% and 233 contacts treated. Moyo said the decline required further investigation to determine whether it reflected genuine behavioural change or data capture inconsistencies.

However, in the third quarter, new STI cases surged to 2,539, with the HIV-positive rate rising to 5% and 399 contacts treated. Moyo warned that the increase suggests sexual behaviour has not significantly changed.

The gender breakdown for new infections shows 1,205 males and 1,334 females recorded in the third quarter, up from 704 males and 686 females in the second quarter, and 1,039 males and 1,155 females in the first quarter. Repeat infections also rose, with 371 males and 273 females seeking treatment for a second STI episode in the third quarter.

Moyo said the numbers indicate that individuals presenting with STIs are part of wider sexual networks, whose full extent is unknown, and that repeat infections point to persistent risky behaviour.

"This is a cause for concern. Looking at the trend from the first to the third quarter, it goes down and then up again. The increase in repeat infections shows that sexual behaviour has not changed," he said.

Nac continues to emphasise the importance of consistent use of protection, regular testing, and prompt treatment of STIs as key measures to reduce HIV transmission and promote sexual health in the province.