The City of Cape Town is dealing with a rise in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and a likely cause can be found in the metro’s condom usage statistics.
Cape Town men and women are not using condoms
On Monday, mayoral committee member for Community Services and Health Patricia van der Ross revealed that in the last year, the City observed a sharp decline in the use of free male and female condoms.
“The decline in the use of prophylactics is concerning, especially when coupled with the rise in STIs,” she said.
In 2019/2020, males used 30.6 million condoms. In 2021, this figure dropped to 16 085 200, which represents a staggering 47.4% decline. For female condoms, the decrease was worse.
Female condom use was at 954 599 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2021, the total dropped by 68.07%.
It is hard to pinpoint the direct coloration between the drop in free condom usage and the rise in STDs, since protection is available for purchase at shops. More concerning, Ross revealed, was the stigmatisation of sexually transmitted infections that prevents patients from receiving early treatment.
“STIs need not be a big problem as most of the infections can be cured. Reluctance to seek medical treatment because of the fear of being stigmatised is one of many reasons why many wait until it’s too late,” she said.
On STD Awareness Month, Ross challenged Capetonians to “start loving themselves first and take the necessary precautions with regards to their reproductive well-being.”
“Untreated STIs can affect an unborn baby, cause mental illness or damage to the heart and kidneys, infertility, as well as cancer of the sex organs,” she added.
