STI cases on the rise in Palapye

Bonte Seepi | Tuesday November 3, 2015 15:57

According to the Central District HIV/AIDS coordinator, Calistus Jackalas, 1,888 people were treated for different types of STIs from July to September 2015 only.

Jackalas said as health workers they are worried about such large numbers because it clearly indicates that people are still reluctant to use condoms. “The number of people who are treated for STIs in Palapye is increasing tremendously. From April to June 1,695 people were treated and within a few months the numbers have increased to 1,888 and also these numbers do not indicate the complete number of people diagnosed with STIs as some people go to private hospitals while some go to traditional doctors. So the statistics that we only have here is for those who came to public clinics in Palapye.

“This is a clear indication that many people are still reluctant to use condoms when having sexual intercourse. But people must know that HIV/AIDS is also a sexually transmitted disease, hence a lot of people are at risk of contracting it,” said Jackalas.

The health worker also said research has revealed that most men are still against condom use compared to women. He said some would reason that they have condom allegy; some say it does not smell nice while some would say it does not fit them.

However, Jackalas encouraged men to change their attitudes. He said if men do not want to use their condoms they should opt for the female one in order to avoid risks of contracting HIV.

He also raised the lack of men’s involvement in issues of health as another worrying issue. He revealed that men still drag their feet when it comes to health issues. He added that even when there are events like wellness day, when services are brought to them, men who test for diseases still remain low.

“When we get to HIV testing and counselling men who test are still very low. Most men test through their partners, when the wife or girlfriend has tested they assume they both have the same status. But it is best to test as couples so that you receive counselling together, hence you get the message together,” he said.  

Jackalas added that by the end of September, Palapye Primary Hospital had enrolled 12,469 patients on ARV treatment. He added that this is a sign that more people are still getting infected with HIV. He said 21 patients who were enrolled on ARV treatment have died between July and September this year alone.

He however said that their aim is to see that no one dies from HIV/AIDS related diseases, to ensure zero stigma and discrimination and no new infections by 2016 because there are programmes that can prevent such.

According to Botswana Impact Survey, 2013, Selebi-Phikwe is still at the top with HIV prevalence in the northern side of the country at 27.5%, followed by Francistown with 23.5%, while Palapye has 17.1% HIV/AIDS prevalence.