Chobe district has recorded an increase in the number of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STI’s), teenage pregnancy and Gender Based Violence (GBV) from quarter four 2024/25 to quarter one 2025/2026.
A total of 710 people is reported to have been infected by STI’s in quarter one 2025/2026 compared to 691 recorded in the previous quarter. Among them 447 are females a while 263 are males, thus 63% of the females have been infected.
A total number of 20 cases of teenage pregnancy have been recorded in quarter one 2025/2026 compared to six registered cases in the previous quarter.
Kasane is leading with a total of seven cases, followed by Pandamatenga with six, and Kazungula with five. Kachikau and Kavimba recorded one case each.
Issues of gender-based violence in the district are also reported to be a great concern especially assaults and defilement of person under the age of 18 as well as rape. From April to June this year the district has recorded a total of 85 cases of GBV compared to 66 cases recorded last year same period.
In an interview, Chobe DHMT Head of Preventive Services, Dr Clement Mukadi said that health risk behaviours such as non-use or inconsistent use of condom especially with new partners, alcohol misuse and on and off shortage of condoms could have led to the increase of STI’s in the district. He added that the most common type of STI is vaginal discharge syndrome.
In an effort to prevent the spread of STI’s in the district, Dr Mukadi said that they educate and raise awareness on appropriate sexual hygiene practices, correct and consistent use of condom, responsible sex and faithfulness.
Regarding the teenage pregnancy issues in the district, Dr Mukadi attributed their increase to health risk behaviours. He indicated that the most affected age group are those aged 19 years which represent 60% of their clients.
“The leading causes could be attributed to low socio-economic factors, unemployment (poverty), ignorance (lack of comprehensive sex education), defilement, gender-based violence, low uptake of family planning interventions,” said Dr Mukadi.
Dr Mukadi stated that they educate on school going and out of school students on different teenage pregnancy interventions in order to sensitize the community about the issue. He noted that they also mobilise the youth to visit the nearest youth friendly clinics in the district to empower them to make the right decisions on their sexual and reproductive health and well-being.
