via More condoms given out and yet more STIs – New Zimbabwe 30/11/2015
MUTARE: There has been a high demand for male condoms in Manicaland province but still sexually transmitted infections remain on the increase, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning (ZNFP) has said.
ZNFP provincial manager Dyson Masvingise said there has been a high consumption of condoms but there was a surge in the cases of STI`s in the province.
Masvingise said 1 577 900 condoms were distributed in the third quarter of 2015 but STI cases were still very high.
“We wonder what these condoms are being used for. It’s so worrisome,” Masvingise told an Adolescence Sexual Reproductive Health Forum recently.
He said Manicaland province is still witnessing as high as 5 000 STI cases per quarter, adding “the trend is worrisome considering resources being poured into the fight against HIV”.
According to Manicaland Annual Provincial Narrative Report 2014, there were 14 267 females who were treated of STI`s while 7 667 were males.
“The most affected age group is 25-49 years,” said Masvingise.
He said the council has managed to distribute 59 720 female condoms, adding that this has been a major development since most women have been shunning this method.
“There has been a low uptake of these condoms since they were introduced but there has been an improvement,” said Masvingise.
He said there is need for advocacy to persuade men to accept the use of female condom by their partners.
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