02 Mar 2016

The high level of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) suggests that there is low condom usage in the South East District.

“The district recorded 994 cases of STIs in the first quarter, followed by 1782 and 1535 in the second and third quarters respectively,’’ the district principal development officer-development Ms Kgomotso Kesianye told the south east district council on Monday.

“The district will however strengthen education on condom usage as well as distribution to all facilities to ascertain their availability,” she added.

In addition, south east district noted increased cases of people who tested HIV positive as numbers increased from 102, to 124 and 158 in the first, second and third quarters respectively.

The figures, Ms Kesianye said this show that people still engage in unprotected sex in spite of the vast education on HIV/AIDS preventions.

Furthermore, she said there was an increase in the number of teenage pregnancies reported as 13 cases were reported in the first quarter followed by 18 in the second quarter and 44 in the third quarter.

Notwithstanding the increasing numbers, the Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) is bearing fruits for the district.

“The level of PMTCT uptake continues to be high as all clients who were eligible for the PMTCT enrolled in the programme,” she said.

In addition, of all the babies born of mothers under the program, none was diagnosed with HIV.

As for safe male circumcision, she said the uptake remains too low at 23 per cent but noted that they continue to advocate for the optimal use of the program.

With regard to tuberculosis, the south east which comprise of Tlokweng Ramotswa, Otse, Mogobane Boatle and Taung recorded steady success on TB treatment.

During comments, councillors called upon the District Health Management Team to strengthen its condom distribution.

They said unlike before, it is difficult to find free condoms in places such as bars although such places attract a lot of people. Ends