adminPaidamoyo Chipunza Herald Reporter
ABOUT 15 000 cases of sexually transmitted infections were recorded in Harare during the last quarter of last year raising concerns on whether distributed condoms were being used properly and consistently.
National Aids Council Provincial Aids Coordinator for Harare Mr Adonija Muzondiona said the cases continue to rise. He said between the first and second quarter, cases averaged 14 000 before peaking to 15 000 in the last quarter.
Of these cases, an average of 2 000 were recorded from people treated of STIs before and the majority of them were women.
Mr Muzondiona said Warren Park, Mbare and Highfield were among the worst affected suburbs.
He said statistics show that Harare currently tops on STI cases with about one million condoms have been distributed in the quarter.
“This tells us that people are not using condoms properly and consistently both before and after use or they are not using them at all. The number of condoms distributed during the same quarter does not translate to what is happening on the ground. We expect to see a decrease in STI cases if people are using condoms properly and consistently,” said Mr Muzondiona.
This raised fears of an increase in HIV and Aids cases.
The HIV prevalence rate for Harare has since risen to 13 percent from 12 percent. NAC Harare province has since embarked on a research to ascertain the reasons behind the increase in STI cases.
“This research will advise us on the gaps so that we find solutions on how best to decrease the cases,” he said.
According to NAC, these figures could just be a tip of the iceberg as some people, especially men, seek treatment from private health institutions while others prefer traditional concoctions.
Last year Masvingo recorded over 11 000 cases of STIs between June and September.
Online Reporter