SEXUALLY transmitted infections (STIs) cases are on the rise in Bulawayo despite the fact that the number of condoms being distributed in the city has increased.

According to the National Aids Council (NAC), 2 494 new cases were recorded in the first three months of this year compared to 2 116 cases recorded during the same period last year. The council’s provincial monitoring and evaluation officer Mr Douglas Moyo said inconsistent use of condoms and low risk perception was the major cause of the high number of new STIs.

He said there was a sharp increase in the number of new female cases from 993 in 2016 to 1 396 in 2017 which showed that people are becoming reckless and engaging in unprotected sex.

He said 890 203 male and female condoms were distributed in the city during the first quarter of this year compared to 749 429 condoms distributed over the same period last year.

Zimbabwe is working towards ending HIV and Aids by 2030. The 2030 targets follows the 2020 global targets which call for 90 percent of population to know their HIV status and for 90 percent of those who test positive to be under ART.