Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo, Health Reporter
THE National Aids Council (Nac) has recorded an 18 percent drop in the number of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Bulawayo despite dwindling figures in condom distribution especially of the female condom.
During the third quarter in 2018, a total of 2 100 cases were recorded compared to 2 644 recorded in the same period the previous year.
In terms of condom distribution, 58 000 male condoms were distributed during the period under review, down from 71 000. Female condoms distribution remained stagnant throughout the whole year at around 5 000 units per quarter.
“The total number of new STIs that were treated in the third quarter were 2 100 down from more than 2 500 in the first and second quarter. The rate is also lower than what was recorded in 2017 where we had a continuous increase in new STIs throughout the whole year,” read the statistics.
According to Nac, the trend, however, shows that people still put themselves at risk by engaging in unsafe sex as shown by the number of pregnant women who test positive during their first antenatal care visit.
“In the first quarter we recorded 184 pregnant women who tested HIV positive during their first antenatal visit. The figure went up to 202 in the second quarter and in the third quarter 223 pregnant women tested positive,” read the same document.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care recently said the low uptake of female condoms exposes women to STIs and even unwanted pregnancies.
According to the Ministry, condom use remains low in key populations which include adolescent girls, sex workers, prisoners and men who have sex with other men.
The ministry has since introduced the condomise campaigns with help from partners that aim to destigmatise condom use and improve access across different communities.
Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence rate is at 13,7 percent and the country, through its prevention programmes, has averted 1, 7 million Aids-related deaths since 1999. — @thamamoe.
derick.khumalo