STIs – HealthTimes

Kutabila Virtual Platform Impact on Health Service Provision in Bindura

October 9, 2023 Healthtimes

By Pardon Gonorashe, Mashonal and Central Provincial Coordinator Saimona, Bindura STIs are on the rise in Bindura. In January 2023 a rapid assessment conducted by the Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) Mashonaland Central Province in partnership with the Ministry of health and Child Care Environmental Health Team (EHT) found 23 men aged between 17 to 45 had contracted sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from one person. The demographic (students, artisanal miners, KPs etc) characteristics in Bindura has caused a general fear of HIV and STIs among the…

ICASA Preparations In Final Lap

September 17, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

Stakeholders to the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), gathered in Harare, Zimbabwe for the last planning meeting, also dubbed the Marathon meeting to discuss and plan around the state of preparedness ahead of the conference to be held in Harare. By Michael Gwarisa The ICASA conference will be held from December 4 to 9, 2023, at the Rainbow Towers Hotel and is set to attract not less than 8,000 delegates from across the continent and beyond. Speaking during the meeting’s official ceremony, Minister of Health and…

SET A THIEF TO CATCH A THIEF: How AWET Health interventions have reduced home deliveries Among Apostolic Women and Girls in Shurugwi

February 20, 2023February 20, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

Caroline Ngosha (23), from Shurugwi is expecting her third child in a few months’ time. In both her previous pregnancies, she delivered her children at home in line with the dictates of her religion, a white garment apostolic sect. Some apostolic sects in Zimbabwe do not allow their followers to use family planning or contraception methods. Neither do they sanction female followers to register with the Anti Natal Clinic (ANC), later on deliver in a health institution. By Michael Gwarisa in Shurugwi She remembers vividly how life threatening giving birth…

Zimbabwe Health Journalists Trained On Sensible Infertility Reporting

September 22, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in partnership with the Merck Foundation and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), hosted a half day training to sensitise Zimbabwean Journalists on issues around fertility and infertility. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes in the midst of a growing burden in fertility related complications in both women and men in Sub-Saharan Africa largely driven by lifestyle related health conditions and Non Communicable diseases (NCDs). Giving her remarks during the training, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rasha Kelej said there were numerous risk…

Zimbabwe To Host 23rd International Congress On STIs

July 15, 2022 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…

Using Community Footprint To Eliminate New HIV Infections In Sex Workers

June 1, 2022June 2, 2022 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…

Contraceptive Prevalence Still Depressed In Young People -ZNFPC

October 1, 2021 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…

Zvisikana Zvidiki Zvotengesa Bonde MuChiredzi

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 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…

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

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020 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…

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

September 11, 2020 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…