STIs among youths up in Mash Central . . . 36 pregnant pupils fail exams

THERE has been an increase in sexually transmitted diseases among youths in Mashonaland Central amid reports of a decline in the distribution of condoms in the province, an adolescence reproductive health forum was informed on Wednesday.

Efforts to get statistics of the increase in STI infections were fruitless as the provincial medical doctor, Dr Clemence Tshuma, referred all questions to the National Aids Council (NAC).

NAC district Aids coordinator Mr Agrippa Karuru advised the forum that there was an operational research being undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, NAC and the Zimbabwe AIDS Prevention and Support Organisation (ZAPSO) to asceratin the causes.

In an interview, NAC provincial coordinator Mr David Nyamurera said the increase in STI infections could be attributed to a number of factors including an increase in artisanal miners and commuter omnibus crews.

“There might be an increase in prostitution among these groups of people.

“The increase in STIs is an indication that our awareness campaigns are yielding results and people are coming out in the open and seeking treatment,” he said.

“On the other hand, women have a health-seeking behaviour and the increase might mean that there is an actual increase in STI infections.”

Speaking at the forum held in Bindura, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) provincial marketing and communications officer Mr Percival THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has started putting in place dryers at its depots to enable it to dry and store grains delivered to it with higher moisture content than the specified standards.

GMB northern region manager Mr Felton Kamambo said they are starting with wheat depots and the exercise will extend to all its depots.

Last year, some farmers had their grains rejected at GMB depots for high moisture content, resulting in them losing their grain to unscrupulous buyers. ABOUT 36 girls at Kamutsenzere Secondary School in Mt Darwin reportedly failed to write their Ordinary Level examinations last year after falling pregnant, an Adolescence Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) coordination forum heard last week.

Another 789 pupils in the same district reportedly dropped out of school last year, 499 were primary students and 290 secondary students.

These figures were revealed by Mr Luckmore Pamhidzai, provincial facilitator for Young People’s Network during his presentation on young people’s involvement and participation on sexual reproductive health, HIV and AIDS issues.

However, the provincial education director, Mr Tapuwa Mudiwa, said he needs to verify and confirm the figures

Kushure said the shortage in condoms was caused by a new distribution system which is based on the consumption rate.

Mr Kushure said the province has identified 75 health facilities in five districts to implement a programme which ensures that health facilities are youth friendly.

“Assessment of these health facilities is underway and Zimbabwe is the only country that has started this initiative,” said Mr Kushure. from the district schools inspector.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Pamhidzai said the increase in school dropouts is leading to teenage pregnancy and child marriages.

“Film screenings have proved to be a reliable strategy in conveying messages to do with ASRH, HIV and AIDS. We are working on an advocacy film that talks about the issue of child marriage bedevilling the province,” he said.

“It is the right of young people to participate meaningfully in their own development because it leads to more effective and sustainable programmes.

“The youths believe that anything for them without them in it is not meant for them.”

He added that lack of adherence to medication among adolescence living with HIV and AIDS due to stigma

“We want to do way with youth friendly corners and move towards an environment whereby all health facilities’ employees starting at the gate are youth friendly.

“In 2016, the Ministry of Health and Child Care developed guidelines basing on the World Health Organisations nine guidelines on quality service provision to youths.”

National ASRH programme officer in schools is a cause of concern in the province.

“The prevalence of stigma among adolescence living with HIV is relatively high in the school setting.

“We managed to have support groups in all other districts except Muzarabani,” said Mr Pamhidzai.

“This is due to the absence of Africaid, a major implementing partner for this activity. However, adolescents living with HIV in this district have not been forgotten.”

National ASRH programme officer Mrs Marian Machimbirike said the national agenda is to reduce teenage pregnancy from 22 percent to 12 percent by 2010.

“There is need for a comprehensive sexual education in and out of school and to increase access to sexual reproductive health services.”

Mrs Marian Machimbirike said there was need to increase knowledge among youth on safe sex practices and access to sexual reproductive health services.

“Mobilise and sensitise young people to go and access sexual reproductive health services. Create an enabling environment so that people can access these services without stigma,” she said before creating thematic groups to tackle health challenges in the province.

way of storing grains and I urge farmers to return to traditional ways of drying maize,” said Ms Dondo.

“Moisture content determination of crops which are combine harvested must be done in the field before harvesting and samples must be collected from the centre of the field and all bordering sides.

“For crops that are harvested and dried in cribs, samples must be collected at the centre and at least one metre deep.

“Collection of samples should be done mid-morning to ensure that the field and drying cribs are free of dew.”