BY STAFF
You can catch feelings; don’t catch an STI. That’s the message from Gauteng Health to couples celebrating the month of love and Valentines Day.
Gauteng Health is warning the public against engaging in unsafe sex as it increases the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
Last year, about 40% of males treated at government hospitals in the province were treated for Male Urethritis Syndrome, or MUS.
There’s been an increase in MUS in Gauteng, from 12% in 2020 to 15% in 2023, according to health officials.
The department’s data shows an increase in STI cases in various areas of the province, including Alexander, Sandton, Johannesburg CBD, Germiston, Katlehong, and Vooslorus, to name a few. Tertiary institutions have also been named as high-risk areas.
To curb this, the Gauteng Health Department has implemented a combination of prevention intervention measures such as the promotion of consistent use of male and female condoms, encouraging the reduction in the number of sexual partners, increased uptake of HIV counseling and testing, STI screening, and delayed sexual debut, as well as the promotion of sexual wellbeing.
Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has urged people who are sexually active to use male and female condoms.
“In terms of the high MUS incidence recorded in the mentioned areas, we have identified behavioral factors that contribute to the high male urethritis syndrome. The contributory factors include high rates of unsafe behavior such as non-use of condoms while engaging in vaginal or anal sex, multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, high levels of substance use, and cultural norms. “Our clinics provide free condoms and STI and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services. We should not let STIs go untreated as they increase the risk of HIV infection and transmission, which will hamper the province’s goal to reduce new HIV infections by 2030,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Women are encouraged to start early antenatal care as soon as they realize that they are pregnant for a thorough screening of any STI. Those found to be positive should undergo appropriate and timely treatment.
Last year, thousands of pregnant women treated at Gauteng government hospitals for antenatal care tested positive for syphilis for the first time.
The uptake of PrEP among women is believed to have led this group to have unprotected sex, resulting in a high incidence of MUS and other STIs. The studies have reported that STI incidence is also high among young women receiving PrEP.
Males are also encouraged to get initiated on PrEP to protect themselves against STIs and continue to use condoms with their partners.