Sexually transmitted diseases soar in Gauteng

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as syphillis, chlamydia and gonorrhea have increased sharply in Gauteng.
This according to a statement by DA MPL Jack Bloom, adding that in the last two years, more than 500 000 patients were treated for STI's in public hospitals and clinics.
According to a written reply by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa to Bloom's questions in the Gauteng Legislature, the the STIs treated in 2015 and 2016 were as follows:



Ramokgopa said in the reply that the 20 - 29 age group was the most affected, and that more females are attending public health facilities than males. The reasons are attributed to social, behavioral and biological factors.

"It is disturbing that STIs like syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea have increased so sharply. While they are curable, their presence increases the risk of HIV-infection. More efforts are needed to highlight what can be done to prevent STIs, and to provide swift effective treatment to prevent an epidemic amongst young people in particular," Bloom said.