The Sunday News
MIDLANDS has recorded an increase in recorded cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter.
According to statistics released by the National Aids Council (NAC), 5 688 people contracted STIs between July and September this year as compared to 5 655 who contracted the diseases between March and June this year.
Addressing stakeholders at the third quarter stakeholders’ meeting recently, NAC Midlands provincial monitoring and evaluation officer, Mr Josiah Machakata said the province had recorded 11 343 STI cases between March and September this year.
“There was a slight increase in the number of new STI cases from 5 655 in the previous quarter to 5 688 this quarter. Of the treated STI patients, 19 percent of the clients tested for HIV tested positive,” he said.
Mr Machakata expressed concern on the increase of the positivity rate in teenagers in the province, particularly those who were under the age of 15.
“It is very worrying that the under 15s have a high positivity rate which means for many years to come we are going to grapple with this, especially now with the positive effects of antiretroviral therapy.
“From the age group of 25 and above, male positivity is pretty high while that of younger females, especially 15-19, is relatively low. It means if these age groups mix in sexual relations, the younger females will have a high chance of contracting HIV,” he said.
Mr Machakata said NAC was impressed with the reception of male circumcision in the province.
“We have 5 011 men who were circumcised this quarter between July and September, a 12 percent increase from the 4 366 circumcised in the second quarter between March and June in 2014. Of these, 1 484 were circumcised in Mberengwa,” he said.
