Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in South Africa, and while exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint, regional data paint a worrying picture, writes Faith Mutizira for Health-e News.
In Cape Town, around 4 000 patients per month sought care for STIs in 2025. The Eastern Cape reportedly has the highest rates of new STI cases nationally, and in Gauteng, the percentage of men with STIs rose from 12 % in 2020 to 15 % in 2023.
Experts warn that these infections are not being treated with the urgency they require.
Dr Tendesayi Kufa-Chakezha, an epidemiologist at the Centre for HIV and STI at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, said STIs remain a public health concern.
“STIs can cause irritation of the genital tract, increasing susceptibility to HIV infection. And between partners, they can lead to long-term complications such as blocked tubes in both men and women, contributing to infertility,” she said.
STIs like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and genital herpes can also almost double the risk of acquiring HIV.
A report tracking infections between 2021 and 2024 at selected clinics found that gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis remain highly prevalent among patients seeking treatment for STI symptoms.
“What concerned me most about this report was the extremely low numbers of clients reporting condom use. Only 3% had used a condom at their last sexual encounter, and this remained unchanged throughout the four-year period,” said Kufa-Chakezha.
A 23-year-old from Duduza in the East Rand, who said he had two sexual partners, refused to use condoms “because I don’t enjoy sex with a condom”.
“But I’m scared of getting tested because they might find other diseases,” he admitted.
Health-e News article – Low Condom Use Fuels STIs In South Africa (Creative Commons Licence)
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Gauteng Health flags rise in STI infections
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