Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have become increasingly common worldwide and now represent a major public health concern, particularly among young people aged 15 to 24 years.
Globally, more than one million new curable STI infections are acquired every day, and in 2020 alone, an estimated 374 million new infections of the four major curable STIs — chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis — were recorded among people aged 15 to 49 years.
In addition to these, hundreds of millions of individuals live with incurable viral STIs such as herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 520 million people worldwide are estimated to be living with genital herpes, while approximately 300 million women are infected with HPV, which is a leading cause of cervical cancer.
These infections not only affect individual health but also significantly increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV, thereby amplifying their public health impact.
The burden of sexually transmitted infections is particularly high in the African region, where socioeconomic challenges, limited access to health services, and gaps in sexual health education contribute to sustained transmission.
In Zimbabwe, STIs remain a serious and persistent public health issue. Recent reports indicate that Harare alone recorded over 25 000 new STI cases in 2024, with a notable proportion being repeat infections.
National surveillance data also show rising cases of urethral and genital discharge syndromes despite large-scale condom distribution efforts.
These trends suggest that behavioural, social, and structural factors continue to undermine prevention efforts, especially among sexually active young people.
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Contracting a sexually transmitted infection is rarely an isolated event. It often reflects a chain of transmission involving multiple sexual partners, frequently within networks where unprotected sex is common.
When a person is diagnosed with an STI, it implies that the infection was acquired from someone who was already infected, and that person may have acquired it from yet another partner.
This interconnected chain significantly increases the probability of exposure to HIV, as many STIs biologically facilitate HIV transmission by causing genital inflammation, ulcers, or mucosal damage.
Therefore, individual sexual behaviour has direct implications not only for personal health but also for the health of the wider community.
Sexually transmitted infections are caused by different organisms and can broadly be classified into bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections.
Bacterial and parasitic STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis are generally curable if diagnosed early and treated appropriately.
However, these infections are often asymptomatic, particularly in women, allowing them to remain undetected and untreated for long periods. If left unmanaged, they can lead to serious complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.
Syphilis, in particular, can progress to severe systemic disease and can be transmitted from mother to child, resulting in stillbirth, neonatal death, or lifelong disability.
Viral sexually transmitted infections, including HPV, HSV, hepatitis B, and HIV, are usually not curable and require long-term management.
HPV infection is strongly associated with cervical cancer and other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers, posing a major threat to women’s health.
Genital herpes causes recurrent painful sores and significantly increases susceptibility to HIV infection. Hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, although it is preventable through vaccination.
HIV remains one of the most serious outcomes of unprotected sexual activity, as it progressively weakens the immune system and places long-term demands on both individuals and health systems.
The consequences of sexually transmitted infections extend far beyond physical symptoms. At the individual level, STIs can cause pain, discomfort, emotional distress, stigma, and relationship challenges.
Long-term health effects such as infertility, cancer, and chronic illness can profoundly affect quality of life. From a public health perspective, high STI prevalence increases the burden on healthcare services, fuels HIV transmission, and contributes to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including miscarriage, premature birth, and congenital infections.
The economic and social costs associated with treatment, loss of productivity, and long-term care further strain already limited health resources.
Preventing sexually transmitted infections requires a comprehensive public health approach that combines individual responsibility with supportive health systems. Consistent and correct use of condoms remains one of the most effective methods of preventing STIs and HIV.
Regular screening and early treatment are critical, particularly because many infections do not present with symptoms. Comprehensive sexuality education empowers young people with accurate information about risks, prevention, and health-seeking behaviour.
Vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B provides additional protection and has the potential to dramatically reduce future disease burden. Integrating STI services with HIV testing, reproductive health care, and counselling improves access, early detection, and continuity of care.
In conclusion, sexually transmitted infections are a widespread and growing public health challenge globally, regionally, and in Zimbabwe.
While some STIs are treatable, their ability to increase vulnerability to HIV and cause long-term health complications makes them a serious threat to individual and community well-being.
Addressing this challenge requires sustained commitment to prevention, education, early diagnosis, and accessible health services. Promoting safe sexual practices, particularly among young people, is essential for breaking chains of transmission and safeguarding public health now and in the future.
*Clever Marisa (Prof) is a social scientist and public health practitioner. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of his affiliated institution or any organisation.
