Kwekwe battles rising STI cases

Kwekwe District is facing growing public health concerns after sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases surged by 39.6% within a month, prompting city authorities to intensify awareness campaigns and condom distribution programmes.

According to figures presented during a full council meeting held at the Civic Centre last Monday, reported STI cases increased from 328 in March to 458 in April.

The sharp rise triggered concern among councillors and health officials, who discussed measures to contain the increase amid challenges linked to low condom uptake, stigma and inadequate sexual health awareness.

Some councillors proposed identifying STI "hotspots," arguing that beer outlets and certain households were contributing to risky sexual behaviour. However, city health officials and Mayor Albert Zinhanga rejected the approach, warning that stigmatisation could undermine public health efforts.

Instead, authorities pointed to declining condom availability in public spaces, low usage rates and limited awareness as major factors driving infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Director of Health Services Munyaradzi Murwira told councillors that surveillance data showed infections were spread across the community rather than concentrated in specific areas.

"We've no proof that this is coming from certain spots or group of people but it's the whole community. We can't have solutions based on misconceptions which will stigmatise people," Murwira said.

"As a department we are carrying out outreach awareness programmes on STIs, HIV/AIDS, and drug and substance abuse in the community while targeting students at colleges as well."

Murwira said STIs remain a key indicator of unprotected sex and increased HIV transmission risk, adding that health teams had intensified awareness programmes in schools and tertiary institutions.

He stressed the importance of expanding access to prevention tools alongside ongoing public education campaigns.

Mayor Zinhanga described the rising figures as deeply concerning and called for urgent intervention.

"I'm worried with the surge of STIs in Kwekwe. That figure of 458 presented today has risen from last month's figure of 328 plus. It shows that it's shooting upwards," he said.

"As city fathers we are worried and concerned with STI surging numbers. Like what the Director of Health said, there are going to be increased awareness campaigns in the communities such that citizens will understand the dangers of STIs. It might be an issue of ignorance or lack of awareness."

Zinhanga said council would also scale up the distribution of free condoms at clinics, bars and entertainment venues to improve access to prevention methods.

"When we were growing up we could see free condoms inside beerhall ablution facilities. Nowadays condoms are not easily available in those spaces and people end up indulging in unprotected sex maybe out of ignorance or because they cannot afford to buy condoms. It's our duty as council to provide condoms," he said.

Public health experts say the city's focus on prevention access and anti-stigma messaging aligns with global best practices in STI control, but warned that sustained awareness campaigns and reliable condom supplies will be essential in reversing the upward trend.