Mpumalanga embarks on sexually transmitted infections awareness
12 February 2009
February is Reproductive Health Month. This is the month where we intensify awareness campaigns on the dangers of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and promotion of the use of condoms as cornerstone for prevention of these infections, unplanned pregnancies and HIV and AIDS scourge.
This year we celebrate under the theme: "Lead and unite, protect me from STIs, HIV and unwanted pregnancies."
The theme encourages practicing responsible sexual and reproductive health behaviour and promotion of self worth, correct and consistence use of condoms.
The main aim of the sexually transmitted infections campaign is to prevent the spread and impact of STIs (including HIV) on all vulnerable individual and groups, through a focused media intervention and door to door visits falling within the STI/Condom week and sexual and reproductive health in February. This year's campaign coincides with the Valentine's Day on 14 February.
The annual antenatal survey of women attending public health facilities, which is designed to give general trends in HIV infection over time, shows that in 2006, there are pleasing signs of changes in the right direction even though HIV and AIDS remains a serious public health challenge in South Africa. It is encouraging to observe that the HIV prevalence trends among pregnant women under the age of 20 years continued to show a significant decline from 16,1 percent in 2004 to 15,9 percent in 2005 and to 13,7 percent in 2006.
A decline in prevalence in this age group is suggestive of a decline in HIV incidence (new infections) and is a good indicator of the impact of the country's prevention programmes. This is the age group that has most recently become sexually active. The findings of the report suggest that a sustained change in behaviour among young people, including abstinence, being mutually faithful as well as condom usage, may be taking place.
Amongst other prevention programmes, proper management of STIs has been seen as having the major impact, in terms of the reduction of new infections in the community. This is being strengthened by the training of medical doctors and nurses on syndromic management approach.
According to District Health Information System the incidence of STI treated new episode has reduced from five percent in 2007 to four percent in 2008. The age group that is mostly affected is 20 to 24years and there's been a rise noticed on men who are 40 years and above.
STI partner notification rate is maintained at 100 percent however the partner tracing rate remains a challenge because it was 23,6 percent in 2007 and 24,2 percent in 2008.
The department has embarked on bring a partner notification slip campaign. This campaign aims at encouraging all sexual partners to go to the health facilities for treatment in order to break the chain of infection. Call a partner notification slip campaign for every client presenting with STI and accurate record keeping at facility level will also assist to increase partner tracing rate. Community is therefore encouraged to take a lead more especially men to ensure that this challenge is addressed. Partners who have other partners are also encouraged to be open enough and give the slips to their extended partners for them to seek treatment as well.
Male condom distribution rate has increased from ten condoms in 2007 to 12 condoms in 2008 per male who is 15 years and above per month. This is calculated according to the total population of males who are 15 years and above.
The number of male condoms distributed in the last nine months is 17 million whilst 155 000 female condoms were distributed in the last nine months.
The number of condoms distributed is informed by the increased number of primary and secondary distribution sites; however this cannot confirm condom usage, as the latter depends on the individual.
Primary distribution sites are hospitals, Community Health Centres and clinics, and secondary distribution sites other clinics, various departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), taxi ranks, air-port, hotels, spaza shops, boarder gate, filing stations, truck shops and taverns.
Since Monday, we have embarked on door to door campaign, visited schools, taxi ranks and shopping centres highlighting the importance of condom usage.
This will culminate into a provincial event which will be addressed by MEC Fish Mahlalela on Saturday, 14 February 2009 at Arkerville stadium in Witbank, eMalahleni local municipality.
The programme will start in the morning with the MEC and the Executive Mayor distributing information leaflets at Middelburg Toll plaza, moving to Highveld shopping mall, taxi rank and door to door campaign before moving to the stadium.
For more information contact:
Mpho Gabashane
Cell: 082 802 4937
Issued by: Department of Health, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
