THE National Aids Council (NAC) has expressed concern at the rise in new sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) in Matabeleland North province, particularly in the first quarter of the year.
By TALENT GUMPO
Statistics released at NAC’s provincial annual general meeting on Tuesday indicated that the province recorded 2 602 new cases of STIs.
Of these new infections, males contributed 1 313, while females accounted for 1 289.
NAC monitoring and evaluation officer, Sibongile Shumba said Hwange district recorded the highest number of new STI cases.
“Hwange remains with the highest number of new STI cases standing at 847, followed by Umguza with 504 new STI cases and Binga had the least number of new STI cases sitting at 70 infections,” she said.
“There is need to scale up sensitisation programmes in all the districts, as STIs are significant in HIV transmission.”
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Shumba encouraged the NAC workers in Binga to keep up the good work and ensure further reductions in infections in the district.
“A total of 74 people in Binga tested for HIV in that district and only two were positive,” she said. “We should keep it that way and even ensure that there are further reductions in infections. The influx of traders in Binga is a cause for concern because most STI cases have been recorded in fishing camps.”