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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
MATABELELAND South Province has recorded a nine percent decline in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the third quarter compared to the second quarter of this year. Statistics obtained from the National Aids Council (NAC) show that 1,925 cases were reported in the third quarter compared to the 2,117 in the second quarter resulting in the reduction of reported cases by 192.

STI cases have been declining in the province since the beginning of the year as 2,885 cases had been reported in the first quarter. In his presentation at a provincial meeting in Gwanda Town, NAC provincial monitoring and evaluation officer Wilfred Ngwenya said the decrease in the number of STI cases was necessitated by campaigns they conducted to encourage condom use.

Ngwenya said Beitbridge and Insiza districts were hotspots, usually having the highest number of recorded STI cases. Beitbridge recorded 542 cases in the third quarter and 671 cases in the second quarter. Insiza had 407 cases in the third quarter compared to the 468 in the second quarter.

“Beitbridge and Insiza always record highest STI cases. This is because in Beitbridge there are a lot of people on transit, who prefer to be treated where they’re not known. Most of the cases reported there are for people coming from outside Beitbridge. In Insiza, it’s because of the mining activities taking place there,” said Ngwenya.