Upsurge in STI cases in Mat South

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
MATABELELAND South Province has recorded an increase in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) during the first quarter of this year, the National Aids Council (NAC) has revealed. A total of 2,885 new STIs cases were recorded during the first three months of this year, an increase of 223 cases from the 2,662 cases that were recorded over the same period last year.

NAC statistics revealed that out of the 2,885 new STI cases, 1,384 translating to 48,2 percent were tested for HIV and 275 of those cases or 20 percent, tested HIV positive. A total of 1,501 from the new infections were not tested for HIV.

Presenting the statistics in Gwanda Town on Wednesday, the provincial Aids coordinator Isaia Abureni said the increase in new infections was a cause for concern.

“STI cases are increasing and this is an issue of concern. This then means HIV cases will also increase because of the correlation between STIs and HIV,” he said.

“Also of concern is that less than half of STI cases were tested for HIV in the first quarter of 2015.”

Of the seven districts in Matabeleland South, Beitbridge remains the district with the most infections with 1,118 STI cases having been recorded.

Gwanda recorded 456 STI cases while Insiza had 467 treated cases.

In Bulilima and Matobo, 296 cases and 265 cases were treated respectively while Mangwe and Umzingwane had 148 and 135 cases.