THE National Aids Council (NAC) last week revealed shocking statistics which suggest that many people in Bulawayo are still promiscuous.
Southern Eye Editorial
A report carried by this newspaper last Friday, quoting a senior NAC official, revealed that nearly 3 000 new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were recorded in Bulawayo alone in the last three months.
Put differently, a staggering 1 000 residents indulge in unprotected sex every month.
This is simply an indication that people continue to indulge in casual and unprotected sex despite the dangers of HIV and Aids.
Rightly or wrongly, some critics attribute this promiscuous behaviour to abject poverty and high unemployment. However, it would seem sex is cheap in town. But such irresponsible behaviour cannot be condoned despite residents being in a sea of poverty.
We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. It does not need a rocket scientist to fathom that those nearly 3 000 that contracted STIs in the past three months did not use any protection at all, risking the lives of their partners and families.
The shocking statistics point to rampant reckless behaviour by residents at a time millions of dollars have been spent on HIV and Aids prevention programmes.
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It is really sad that despite the dangers of HIV and Aids, which kills people every day, residents continue to be promiscuous at a time when they should be directing their energies elsewhere.
It is trite to say that efforts by activists to ensure that we have zero infections, zero stigma and zero deaths as a result of Aids and other related diseases, are coming to naught because of this reckless sexual behaviour by fellow citizens.
Many a time the media have exposed some respected citizens that have no qualms in paying the top dollar just to indulge in casual sex, at times even with people as young as their daughters and sons.
Activists continue to urge people to use protection if they were involved with numerous sexual partners, but it would seem this has fallen on deaf ears. We implore citizens to forthwith stop this grossly irresponsible behaviour if Zimbabwe is to win the war against Aids.
