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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Health Reporter
The number of people treated for sexually transmitted infections continues to increase in Harare in contrast to the declining trend in new HIV infections. This was revealed by the Harare City Health Director Dr Prosper Chonzi, who said in 2013 Harare reported an increase of 17 percent, up from 15 percent the previous year. Dr Chonzi attributed the increase to people’s laxity in using protection during sex.

Infections such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, urethral and vaginal discharge were topping the list of common STIs. Dr Chonzi said owing to treatment options available for HIV, those sexually active have become complacent when it came to using condoms resulting in the spread of STIs.

“People must know that once they become complacent, it might regress the successes already made in HIV reduction,” he said.

To minimise the risk of spreading STIs, Dr Chonzi said people should continue using protection, being faithful and sticking to one sexual partner.

He said people should also seek early treatment to prevent the infections from complicating.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the majority of STIs are present without symptoms while some STIs can increase the risk of HIV acquisition three-fold or more.

Prevention of STIs

Counselling and behavioural approaches

Counselling and behavioural interventions offer primary prevention against STIs (including HIV), as well as against unintended pregnancies. These include:

comprehensive sexuality education, STI and HIV pre- and post-test counselling

Safer sex/risk-reduction counselling, condom promotion

Interventions targeted at key and vulnerable populations, such as adolescents, sex workers, men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs.

Additional information sourced from WHO