Increase in STIs among Adolescents in Masvingo District

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV remain a significant global public health concern, with over 1 million new cases reported daily, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This study investigates factors contributing to the rise of STIs among hundred (100) adolescents in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. A survey design with questionnaires was used to collect data on factors influencing STI prevalence. The sample was drawn from four wards, with 25 participants per ward. The study targeted adolescents aged 15 to 19, with a higher proportion of females (82%) compared to males (18%). Findings revealed that although 90% recognized STI symptoms, 95% reported having unprotected sex. Additionally, 84% attended social events, which could promote risky sexual behaviors. A significant number (32%) admitted to reusing condoms, and 59% traveled long distances to access them. Peer pressure (75%) and lack of sexual health knowledge (45%) were identified as major contributors to STI risk. Participants also highlighted the importance of education (88%) and condom use (75%) as effective prevention strategies. The study calls for targeted sexual health education and improved access to preventive resources for adolescents in the region.

Increase , STIs , Adolescents , Masvingo , District

1. 1.Abraham, C. and Sheeran, P., 2005. The health belief model. Predicting health behaviour, 2(1), pp.28-80. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. 2.Assembly, G., 2008. Report of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Official Records, Fifty-seventh Session, Supplement, (41). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. 3.Berenbaum, S.A., Beltz, A.M. and Corley, R., 2015. The importance of puberty for adolescent development: conceptualization and measurement. Advances in child development and behavior, 48, pp.53-92. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. 4.Borsari, B. and Carey, K.B., 2001. Peer influences on college drinking: A review of the research. Journal of substance abuse, 13(4), pp.391-424. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. 5.Callands, T. A., Sipsma, H. L., Betancourt, T. S., & Hansen, N. B. (2013). Experiences and acceptance of intimate partner violence: Associations with sexually transmitted infection symptoms and ability to negotiate sexual safety among young Liberian women. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 15(6), 680-694. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. 6.CDC. (2020). Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. 7.Chadambuka, A., Chimusoro, A., Maradzika, J.C., Tshimanga, M., Gombe, N.T. & Shambira, G., 2007. Factors associated with contracting sexually transmitted infections among patients in Zvishavane urban, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Medical Journal, [online] 44(1). Available at: <URL> [Accessed 16 January 2025]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. 8.Committee on the Rights of the Child. General Comment No. 4 (2003) on adolescent health and development in the context of the convention on the rights of the child. 2003, para 5 https://www.refworld.org/docid/4538834f0.html. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. 9.Committee on the Rights of the Child. General comment No. 15 (2013) on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health (art. 24), art. 10, art. 24. xlii Committee on the Rights of the Child. General comment No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence. 2016. Para 59. https://www.refworld.org/docid/589dad3d4.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. 10.Committee on the Rights of the Child. General Comment No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence. 2016. Para 40. https://www.refworld.org/docid/589dad3d4.html. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. 11.Committee on the Rights of the Child. General Comment No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence. 2016. Para 43. https://www.refworld.org/docid/589dad3d4.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. 12.Doek, J.E., 2016. The CRC: Dynamics and directions of monitoring its implementation. The Human Rights of Children (pp. 99-116). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. 13.Drummond, P.D., Mizan, A., Brocx, K. and Wright, B., 2011. Using peer education to increase sexual health knowledge among West African refugees in Western Australia. Health care for women international, 32(3), pp.190-205. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. 14.Fisher, M.M., Rosen, D.S., Ornstein, R.M., Mammel, K.A., Katzman, D.K., Rome, E.S., Callahan, S.T., Malizio, J., Kearney, S. and Walsh, B.T., (2014) Characteristics of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children and adolescents: a “new disorder” in DSM-5. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(1), pp.49-52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. 15.Francis, S.C., Mthiyane, T.N., Baisley, K., Mchunu, S.L., Ferguson, J.B., Smit, T., Crucitti, T., Gareta, D., Dlamini, S., Mutevedzi, T. and Seeley, J., 2018. Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among young people in South Africa: A nested survey in a health and demographic surveillance site. PLoS medicine, 15(2), p.e1002512. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. 16.Ginindza TG, Stefan CD, Tsoka-Gwegweni JM, Dlamini X, Jolly PE, Weiderpass E, et al. Prevalence and risk factors associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women of reproductive age in Swaziland. Infect Agent Cancer. 2017;12(1):1–12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. 17.Gusmano, M.K., Rodwin, V.G. and Weisz, D., (2010). Health Care in World Cities: New York, Paris, and London. JHU Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. 18.Hoffman, K.M., Trawalter, S., Axt, J.R. and Oliver, M.N., (2016). Racial bias in pain assessment and treatment recommendations, and false beliefs about biological differences between blacks and whites. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(16), pp.4296-4301. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. 19.House, P.B., 2021. Amnesty International. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. 20.Hwang L., Ross M.W., Zack C., Bull L., Rickman K., and Holleman M. (2000). ‘Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Associated Risk Factors among Populations of Drug Abusers’, Oxford Journals Clinical Infectious Diseases, (31)4: 920-926, USA http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/31/4/920.full(accessed 03/06/2014). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. 21.Joint General Recommendation/General Comment No. 31 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and No. 18 of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Harmful Practices (2014), para 19. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. 22.Kabagenyi, A., Jennings, L., Reid, A., Nalwadda, G., Ntozi, J. and Atuyambe, L., 2014. Barriers to male involvement in contraceptive uptake and reproductive health services: a qualitative study of men and women’s perceptions in two rural districts in Uganda. Reproductive health, 11, pp.1-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. 23.Kar, S.K., Choudhury, A. and Singh, A.P., 2015. Understanding normal development of adolescent sexuality: A bumpy ride. Journal of human reproductive sciences, 8(2), pp.70-74. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. 24.Kirby, D.B., Laris, B.A. and Rolleri, L.A., 2007. Sex and HIV education programs: their impact on sexual behaviors of young people throughout the world. Journal of adolescent Health, 40(3), pp.206-217. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. 25.Kohler, P.K., Campos, P.E., Garcia, P.J., Carcamo, C.P., Buendia, C., Hughes, J.P., Mejia, C., Garnett, G.P. and King, K., 2015. STI screening uptake and knowledge of STI symptoms among female sex workers participating in a community randomized trial in Peru. International journal of STD & AIDS, 27(5), p.402. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. 26.Larsman, P., Eklof, M., & Torner, M. (2012). Adolescents’ risk perceptions in relation to risk behaviour with long-term health consequences; antecedents and outcomes: A literature review. Safety Science, 50i, 1740-1748. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. 27.McCormack, T., Feeney, A. and Beck, S.R., 2020. Regret and decision-making: A developmental perspective. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(4), pp.346-350. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. 28.Nanda, K., Kimbrough, L., Haji, S., Shrestha, S., Khan, M.E. & Wuliji, T., 2019. Barriers to contraceptive access and STI prevention in low-income communities. Global Health Action, [online] 12(1), p. 1583645. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2019.1583645 [Accessed 16 January 2025]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. 29.Napper, L., Fisher, D., & Reynolds, G. (2012). Development of the perceived risk of HIV scale. AIDS & Behaviour, 16(4), 1075-1083. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. 30.Newton-Levinson, A., Leichliter, J.S. and Chandra-Mouli, V., 2016. Sexually transmitted infection services for adolescents and youth in low-and middle-income countries: perceived and experienced barriers to accessing care. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(1), pp.7-16. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. 31.Ngwenya, B., Moyo, S., Dube, M., Chirwa, T., & Mhlanga, E., 2022. Factors influencing STI rates among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Adolescent Health, [online] 71(3), pp. 391-399. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.03.012 [Accessed 16 January 2025]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. 32.Nicholl, P., 2019. “For every child, the right to a childhood” UNICEF (2019). Child Care in Practice, 25(4), pp.345-348. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. 33.Omar, M., Al-Dubai, S.A., Bakar, S.A., Nordin, R., & Ismail, A., 2021. Sexual health education and its impact on adolescent behaviors: A systematic review. Health Education Research, [online] 36(4), pp. 512-524. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyab027 [Accessed 16 January 2025]. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. 34.Oyeyemi O, Fadipe O, Oyeyemi I. Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Nigerian pregnant women and risk factors associated with sexually transmitted infections. Int J STD AIDS. 2015;27(13):1187–93. https://doi.org/1 0.1177/0956462415611292. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. 35.Rositch, A.F., Burke, A.E., Viscidi, R.P., Silver, M.I., Chang, K. and Gravitt, P.E., 2012. Contributions of recent and past sexual partnerships on incident human papillomavirus detection: acquisition and reactivation in older women. Cancer research, 72(23), pp.6183-6190. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. 36.Sague, C.B., Black, C., Morse, S.A. and Schmid, G., 2014. Women and children first: The impact of sexually transmitted infections on maternal and child health. Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2014. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. 37.Senn, T.E., Carey, M.P., Vanable, P.A., Coury-Doniger, P. and Urban, M., 2009. Sexual partner concurrency among STI clinic patients with a steady partner: correlates and associations with condom use. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 85(5), pp.343-347. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. 38.Seth, P., Wingood, G.M., DiClemente, R.J. and Robinson, L.S., 2011. Alcohol use as a marker for risky sexual behaviors and biologically confirmed sexually transmitted infections among young adult African-American women. Women's Health Issues, 21(2), pp.130-135. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. 39.Shannon, K., Strathdee, S.A., Goldenberg, S.M., Duff, P., Mwangi, P., Rusakova, M., Reza-Paul, S., Lau, J., Deering, K., Pickles, M.R. and Boily, M.C., 2015. Global epidemiology of HIV among female sex workers: influence of structural determinants. The Lancet, 385(9962), pp.55-71. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. 40.Slogrove, A.L., Mahy, M., Armstrong, A. and Davies, M.A., 2017. Living and dying to be counted: What we know about the epidemiology of the global adolescent HIV epidemic. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 20, p.21520. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. 41.Traeger, M. and Stoove, M., 2022. Why risk matters for STI control: who are those at greatest risk and how are they identified?. Sexual Health. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. 42.UNICEF Zimbabwe, Extended Analysis of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2014: Child Protection, Child Marriage and Attitudes towards Violence, 2016 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. 43.UNICEF. (2019). The State of the World's Children 2019. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. 44.WHO (2016) Sexually Transmitted Infections. Fact Sheet No. 110.http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs110/en/. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. 45.WHO. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) fact sheet. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. 46.World Health Organization. Global Health Sector Strategy on Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2016–2021. 2016. Available from: https://www.who. int/publications/item/WHO-RHR-16.09. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. 47.World Health Organization. Report on global sexually transmitted infection surveillance 2018. Geneva: WHO, 2018. https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/stis-surveillance-2018/en/ (accessed 18 November 2020). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. 48.Zheng, Y., Yu, Q., Lin, Y., Zhou, Y., Lan, L., Yang, S. and Wu, J., (2022). Global burden and trends of sexually transmitted infections from 1990 to 2019: an observational trend study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 22(4), pp.541-551. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. 49.Zimbabwe Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], Act 23 of 2004, s 64. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• A Comparative Study of Adjustment Level, Parental Income and Academic Achievement of Adolescent Girls
• A Correlation between SDG 4 (Quality Education) and Emotional Disposition of Teacher Educators in Hyderabad District