THE National Aids Council (NAC) in Matabeleland North on Tuesday said it had recorded an increase in cases of sexual transmitted infections (STI) in the province.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
Addressing stakeholders during a NAC meeting at the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo, NAC monitoring and evaluation officer for Matabeleland North, Mthokozisi Moyo said the province had recorded 10 584 cases of new STI cases and 1 744 repeat cases last year as compared to the 8 415 recorded in 2011.
“The number continues to rise because in the year 2010 we had received 9 175 case of new STI cases. The number then rose to a total of 8 415 in 2011 and in 2012 the number has risen to an alarming 10 584,” he said.
Moyo said out of the 10 584 STI cases that were recorded in the province, Hwange and Tsholotsho districts had the highest number of new cases in 2012 with 2 731 and 2 104 cases, respectively.
He said the high number of STI cases was worrying as it was an indication that people were not using protection consistently even though condoms were always available.
“So far we have had 2 672 742 condoms distributed in 2012 from a number of 2 117 960 distributed in 2011,” Moyo said.
“The problem we have in Tsholotsho is that there is a high number of people who frequently cross borders to countries such as South Africa while they are on ARTs and they default their treatment.”
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Moyo revealed that out of the 132 943 clients tested in the province in 2012, 11 484 tested HIV-positive and the high number was a sad development.
He said NAC would conduct World Aids Day celebrations in Tsholotsho on March 20.
