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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
MATABELELAND North has recorded an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the second quarter of the year, a development attributed to a decline in condom use. Addressing participants at a provincial National Aids Council (Nac) meeting yesterday, Nac’s monitoring and evaluation officer Mtokozisi Moyo said the 21 percent upsurge could be a result of non-condom usage.
He said the cases increased from 1,675 during the same period in 2013 to 2,030 this year.

“Two thousand and thirty STI cases were recorded in the province and 838 or 41 percent of them were tested for HIV. Fifty nine percent of the STI cases did not test for HIV as the prevalence of STIs can be used as a proxy indicator of non-condom use,” said Moyo.

He said Umguza District had the highest number of cases with 545 cases while Bubi was the least with 90 cases.
Moyo said Binga had 181 cases, Lupane 391, Nkayi 275, Tsholotsho, 374.

“Binga District had the lowest number of STI cases tested for HIV and lowest percentage positivity. Tsholotsho had the highest number tested while Lupane had the highest percentage positivity. All districts should be encouraged to scale up HIV testing of STI clients,” he said.

He encouraged people who are sexually active to use protective measures saying there has been a decrease in the condom usage in the province.
Earlier this year, Bulawayo Nac’s monitoring and evaluation officer Douglas Moyo said the prevalence of STIs was seasonal.

She said during the festive season, STI cases shoot up due to “excitement” and there was also an upward trend during winter as people spend most of their time indoors.