STI Advocacy and Literacy workshop

Through consultations with local government officials and civil society leaders in North West, Gauteng, and KwaZulu Natal Provinces, the HIV Survivor’s Partner Network identified several major STI prevention gaps. They found that test kit shortages lead providers to diagnose STIs based on symptoms alone, which may lead to under- or over-treatment and could potentially exacerbate antimicrobial resistance. They also noted that limited HPV vaccination coverage leaves significant populations, including adult women, boys, and girls who attend private schools, unprotected. Specifically, they found that only 35% of HIV testing clients were screened for STIs, and that many community organizations lacked STI literacy materials. Additionally, most private school girls had not been offered the free HPV vaccine, underscoring the urgent need for policy reforms. They call for greater civil society engagement to advance STI literacy and advocate for new diagnostics and vaccines.