STIs in Mat North decline

helped reduce sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) in some districts.
Speaking to journalists during a NAC-led media tour on Wednesday, Matabeleland North Aids co-ordinator Mr Dingani Ncube said programmes such as condom distribution had seen STI prevalence in Victoria Falls and Hwange ranging from 25 percent since 2007 against the national previous rate of 34 percent.
“With support from our partners we have prevention programmes involving commercial sex workers and long distance truck drivers.
“These programmes have helped to bring down the prevalence of STIs in the two districts compared to other districts in the province,” he said.
STI prevalence rate is a key indicator of HIV prevalence.
Mr Ncube added that on the behaviour change programme in the districts there had been an increased uptake of female condoms.
Holiday resorts and mining towns have always been on top in HIV prevalence nationally but NAC said behaviour change programmes had seen a reversal of this trend.
Mr Ncube said NAC had managed to put 22 500 people on ARVs and of these, 2 100 are children.
The provincial target for 2011 is 34 000 people in line with World Health Organisation guidelines. During the five-day tour the journalists will go to Nkayi, Lupane, Hwange, Tsholotsho, Binga and Umguza.