Tag: STIs

Zimbabwe To Host 23rd International Congress On STIs

Michael Gwarisa

THE 23rd edition of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI), will be held in Zimbabwe  from September 4 t0 September 7, 2022, in the resort town of Victoria Falls.   By Michael Gwarisa The Congress will run under the theme, “Confronting Inequities in STI Prevention, Diagnostics and Care,” and will be graced by  various speakers from across the world. In an interview with HealthTimes, Charlene Thlabane Project Manager for the 23rd IUSTI congress said they expect not less than 300 attendees at the 23r IUSTI congress. We expect that…

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Using Community Footprint To Eliminate New HIV Infections In Sex Workers

Michael Gwarisa

Spiwe Chikwawa (49), a sex worker from Mutare has been in the sex work business for two decades now. However, a few years ago, Spiwe developed a rare Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). In her own words, she says this particular STI takes the trophy in the history of all stubborn STIs as it became resistant to treatment at some point only to disappear after it had resurfaced for the third time. By Michael Gwarisa in Mutare Due to a prolonged period with the STI, she also developed a pungent and…

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Contraceptive Prevalence Still Depressed In Young People -ZNFPC

Michael Gwarisa

EVEN though all indicators in Zimbabwe’s national family planning program have done well over the years, teenage pregnancies, early child marriages, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and new HIV infections have been on an upward trend in young people due to lack of access to contraceptives and other preventive methods. By Michael Gwarisa Currently, the Zimbabwe Public Health Act does not permit young adolescents to access or purchase contraceptives, medications and other health services in the absence of an adult thus making it difficult for young people below the age of…

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Zvisikana Zvidiki Zvotengesa Bonde MuChiredzi

Michael Gwarisa

INGUVA dzepfumbamwe Manheru, vazhinji muguta re Chiredzi vakugadizirira kunorara kuti vafumo bata jongwe muromo vakananga kumabasa zuva rinoteverea. Vutunga huri mubishi kuita ma press up hwakamirira kuti vanhu varare huwane kusvusvura. Na Michael Gwarisa ari Muchiredzi Nechekure, kurikunzwika Redhiyo ichidandauka zvekuti huyai muone. Miridzo nemheterwa zvirikuridzwa kuratidza kuti vanhu vari kutamba chipisi. Haungatombofungiri kuti kune Lockdown. Mukuru umwe atakataura naye akati iye mhere mhere iyi yainge ichibva kubhawa re Chigarapasi, rinova zvakare bhawa gururusa kupinda mamwe ose munyika yeZimbabwe. Tati fambe Chinhamwe takananga kwaibva neruzha, takaona mumugagwa unoenda ku Chigarapasi…

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Masvingo, Chiredzi Sees Spike in STI Infections In Adolescent Girls During COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

AS government continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions, health institutions in Masvingo urban and Chiredzi district have started witnessing a surge in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) amongst young girls aged between 13 and 24, HealthTimes can reveal. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Masvingo The increase in new STI infections according to the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), has been driven largely by travel and tight lockdown restrictions which characterized the initial stages of the lockdown period, a period where access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services was disrupted. In…

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Fears Of Spike In STIs and Unintended Pregnancies As More Adolescent Girls Indulge In Unsafe Sex During Lockdown in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE prevailing lockdown has seen more young girls engaging in sexual activities with either older males and or boys of their ages, while a significant number of reports of sexual abuse against girls were also reported since Zimbabwe commenced its lockdown measures in March this year. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual meeting which was hosted by Plan International Zimbabwe, Maxwell Mhlanga, Plan Int Zimbabwe’s (PIZ) Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)  Manager said a survey they conducted in April indicated that more girls were indulging in sex…

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Dapirivirine Ring Not Substitute For Other HIV Prevention Methods- Dr Mgodi

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi MBChB, MMed, Investigator of Record, HPTN-084 Zimbabwe – University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research Centre, and HPTN Executive Committee Member

THE Dapirivirine Vaginal Ring, a new effective HIV prevention tool for women, is not a substitute for existing  HIV prevention methods but rather an innovation to expand prevention options for women, Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi an HIV expert and histopathologist   has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a Twitter Question and Answer session that was organized by HealthTimes, Dr Mgodi said women need safe and effective biomedical HIV prevention strategies for use throughout their lives and the Dapirivirine ring presented women with such an opportunity. Studies of other HIV prevention…

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STIs Spike Among Young Boys In Mudzi…As Sex Workers Dish Unprotected Sex For More USD

Michael Gwarisa

INCREASED gold panning activities in Mudzi district have exposed young boys to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and other health risks at the back of an influx of commercial sex workers who have flooded the mining communities. By Michael Gwarisa Recently In Mudzi Most young people in the area have resorted to gold panning which has become the most resourceful source of income in the area. Payments for gold sales at various mills dotted around the community are done in United States dollars (USD) terms, a factor which has lured sex…

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One Million New STI Cases Every Day, Says WHO

Healthtimes

THERE are more than one million new Sexually Transmitted Infections among people aged between 15 and 49 years, the World Health Organisation says. By Kudakwashe Pembere In a report released on Thursday, the WHO noted that this translates to more than 376 million new cases annually of four infections such as gonorrhoea, thrichomoniasis, chlamydia and syphilis. “We’re seeing a concerning lack of progress in stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections worldwide,” said Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director for Universal Health Coverage and the Life-Course at WHO. “This is a…

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Parent To Child Communication Bridges SRHR Gap At Grassroots

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has over the years been battling soaring cases of teenage pregnancies, early marriages, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV infections in adolescents among a host of other sexual reproductive health related issues. By Michael Gwarisa recently In Zvimba According to the National Adolescent Fertility Study (NAFS) of 2016 conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), adolescent pregnancies remain a major contributor to maternal and child mortality in Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, the adolescent fertility…

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