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 general population.
In April 2023, Collin (not real name) called through the ZNNP+ Kutabila Mashonaland Central Platform supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH under the Backup Health Project reported that he had an STI that was seemingly difficult to treat. He had been treated with azythromycin, benzathine, erythromycin, doxyclin but there was no reprieve on the ‘STI’ after visiting some hospitals and clinics in Mashonaland Central. He was referred to private doctors who also gave him prescriptions and an instruction to visit a health facility on a particular date. The caller however did not have the consultation fee for the health facility.
The Mashonaland Central Kutabila Platform agent consequently referred Collin to see Doctor E. Nyazika at Trojan Mine clinic who agreed to do a free consultation. The tests conducted revealed that the caller had no STI but a phobia. It highlighted a fear that several people may suffer – venereophobia – which is a fear of venereal diseases. This condition can medically and psychologically lead to thanatophobia/STI/ paranoia anxiety with somatic symptoms and can lead to high viral loads, and moods outbursts in PLHIV.
Positive Outcome and Impact
The caller is happy, and the symptoms are slowly disappearing after counselling sessions with support from the Kutabila Platform Integrated Virtual Health Facility (IVHF) Mental Health Specialist. Clinicians and community health agents (CHAs) have taken a leaf on the case as it solved many other unknown cases. Today ZNNP+ continues to conduct health education around safer sex and zero stigma. The virtual platform has reached a level where on- time and on-demand free assistance is received from specialists on standby and a web of physical volunteer foot soldiers around Zimbabwe and beyond. Continuous monitoring of the quality of health services is a key ingredient in communities amplifying a coordinated health financing. From January to August 2023, the Kutabila Virtual Platform has assisted 2,350 community members to access critical services including access to HIV treatment and care services.
Follow up actions needed
- Health education on safer sex is needed, emphasizing safety without instilling fear.
- Kutabila Platform to have a facility to show callers the direct contact in case of network glitches.
- Need to ensure enhanced service delivery. User fees may still prohibit the person from accessing the service especially for STI services. ZNNP+ will continue to engage stakeholders including the Ministry of Health and Child Care on the need to eliminate all costs associated with the provision of health services.
Reach us on Kutabila virtual Platform Toll Free: 08080441 and www.znnp.org
