Chronicle Reporter

MATABELELAND North province recorded 10 584 new Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) cases in 2012 compared to 8 416 the previous year, despite an increase in the distribution of condoms.

Presenting an overview of Matabeleland North HIV and AIDS interventions for 2012 during a National Aids Council (NAC) provincial stakeholders meeting at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex on Tuesday, NAC provincial monitoring and evaluation officer, Mr Mthokozisi Moyo said Hwange and Tsholotsho had the highest number of new STI cases.

“Hwange and Tsholotsho districts recorded the highest number of new STI cases in 2012 with 2 731 and 2 104 cases respectively,” he said.

Mr Moyo said the high number of STI cases was an indication that people were not using protection consistently and there was a need for condoms to always be available.

He said 2012 had the highest distribution of condoms in the seven districts of the province compared to 2011.

“A total of 2 672 742 condoms were distributed during the year, 2 509 936 for males and 162 806 for females compared to 2 117 960 that were distributed in 2011. The highest number of condoms was distributed from October to December while the least was between April and June,” said Mr Moyo.

He, however, said even with the high distribution of condoms they were not sure if people utilised them. “A big margin between male and female condoms distributed could be an indication that women are not empowered to negotiate for safer sex,” said Mr Moyo. A stakeholder in the meeting, who preferred anonymity, said from her investigations she discovered some women abused female condoms for beauty purposes.

“Two women took 50 condoms and when I probed them they said they used the oil in the condoms for their hair, face and to make floor polish,” she said.