By Mercy Achieng
Kisumu County, Kenya: Health experts in Kisumu County have raised alarm over increased cases of sexually transmitted infections ( STIs) among youths.
According to a medical officer at Nyalenda, Ken Odhiambo, “Every day, 3 to 5 youths are diagnosed with STIs bringing to about 12,000 yearly. The most common infection is Chlamydia, a bacterial STI with common signs and symptoms being abnormal vaginal discharge, penal discharge, frequent or painful urination, pain during sex, lower belly pain, and bleeding between periods.”
Odhiambo further noted that youths are most vulnerable to STIs, this is because they are sexually active and fail to use correct protective measures during sex. They also involve themselves in harmful birth control measures and unprotected sex.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), they have a global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections, the strategy positions the health sector response to sexually transmitted infection epidemics as critical to the achievement of universal health coverage.
This is one of the key health targets of sustainable development goals (SDGs) identified in 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
The strategy facilitates people’s access to information on their sexually transmitted infection status as well as improving access to treatment and comprehensive long-term care when needed and perceive long-term stigmatization and discrimination.
Many advances have been made in the health sector including access to the internet on sexual health but despite this, many teenagers and millennials are still scared to open up about sexually transmitted diseases and the increased rate of the spread of STIs among the youth is quite alarming.
Margaret Akumu aged 86 recalls how they were careful during her youthful age, “In the past, apart from HIV and AIDS, the mention of STIs also caused people to shiver, the two resulted in a lot of deaths because there was no clear cure apart from herbalists. They were mainly associated with grabby affairs and prostitution.” She says that Africans were being lured by the whites for sex in exchange for money and a number of them got infections.
“During those days teenagers and youths who heard about the diseases carried themselves with caution, she jokes about not allowing a man’s hand over her shoulder. The aim was to keep themselves clean. The little education that was done to cushion the spread of the diseases was given much attention, for instance, people gathering to watch cinema films and door-to-door education.”
She however is saddened by how the current generation of millennials have been swayed into unprotected sexual activities and most of them don’t care because the civilized society has found the cure and long-lasting prevention to most of the diseases.
“Many of the youths think that STIs are a thing of the past, and have totally been brought under control.”
Similarly, Emmanuel Soso, a clinical officer at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, Siaya County, confirms that it is true that many who test positive for STIs are millennials and this is despite so much awareness just at the comfort of their phones, teachings in school, advice from parents and even counseling from the hospital departments.
Soso ties this to the fact that they deem it treatable and ease of access to drugs. Moreover, fear of people visiting health facilities during this period of the Covid 19 pandemic must have led to the increase in transmission due to little or no diagnosis.
“Many who receive treatment experience a reinfection, this could occur due to undertreatment, not following the drugs prescription and mostly a patient having sexual contact before they recover, STIs are now on the block with others such as gonorrhea and chlamydia making a comeback and youths should be way cautious about their sexual health.” Adds Soso.
Most people these days are afraid of HIV and AIDS but they give a second thought to sexually transmitted infections.
“When I experienced some itchiness around my vagina, I was scared to visit the hospital, luckily I had a friend who was a doctor, I called him over the phone explained my problem, he said that was either an STI or a UTI and prescribed me some medicine. Nevertheless, the symptoms have persisted and I feel it’s time I visit a health center. I, however, can’t tell how I got the infection, I maintain hygiene and am keen on my sexual life”, Says Norah Abonyo a student from Rongo University.
“During my second year in college I was diagnosed with gonorrhea, I admit I had been sleeping around with ladies, but getting an infection for the first time was a real shock. My doctors advised me well and after a long period of medication that cost me a lot of money, I swore to practice safe sex. Truth is, many youths are nursing infections out here and no one will talk about it” reveals Arnold Rono, a final year student at Maseno University.
” I once had extreme pain when urinating and abdominal pains, I talked to a friend who had experienced the same and she advised me on medication, though it’s something that keeps recurring and I am still scared to see a doctor. I suspect it’s a Urinary tract infection. Many youths don’t want to seek medication because people will judge them so they opt to try home treatment” admits Rose Achieng’ a student at Kisumu polytechnic.
Medical laboratory scientist, Augustine Owino says that just like any other disease, STIs if not diagnosed at an early stage and properly treated can show advanced symptoms which are specific to the types of STIs like syphilis, hepatitis B, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.Common effect for all is a weakened immune system and general body weakness.
Some infections can sometimes take longer to be noticed for complete treatment. He calls on the young people not to be afraid to go for check-ups when they experience the most common signs such as a burning sensation when urinating, foul vaginal discharge or penile discharge, pelvic pains and ulcers on or around the genitals.
Robert Kimune, a clinical officer at Thimlich dispensary Migori county advises on proper measures among the youths to prevent a comeback of this disease. At their dispensary they have put up measures like distributing free condoms, offering free sexual counseling to the youth, and partnering with National Government Organizations to help in educating the community and especially the young people on sexual hygiene and distributing free brochures on the same.
Teenagers and young adults have higher rates of STIs than any other group. Grehard Wanyonyi, a clinical officer at Jaramagi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral hospital Kisumu advises the youth to always use health care services that could give them information on how to protect themselves against STI. They should understand that having sex is a decision and they must be ready for the consequences.
“As much as they may face peer pressure to have sex, it’s important to play safe sex and that the only way to prevent getting an STI is abstinence until marriage. It is only through the youth being extremely cautious about their sexual health that we can prevent the increasing rate of STI infection among the youths” says Wanyonyi.
Such an informative piece 👏
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