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
12 February 2009
