One in four women in Kenya has chlamydia, according to a recent report by the Kenya Medical Research Institution (KEMRI).
As the nation continues to face severe condom scarcity, an increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases has been recorded in Kenya. According to a report by the World Health Organization, an estimated 374 million new cases of one of the four treatable STIs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis—occur each year.
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Both men and women can become infected with the prevalent STD. The reproductive system of a woman may suffer lasting harm. Later on, getting pregnant might be challenging or impossible as a result. Additionally, ectopic pregnancy—a pregnancy that develops outside the womb—can be brought on by chlamydia and could be fatal.
By engaging in vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a carrier, you risk contracting the infection. Chlamydia can also be passed from a pregnant person to their unborn child during childbirth. According to a report by CDC, with a partner who has chlamydia, sexually active persons can contract the infection through vaginal, anal, or oral sex without using a condom.
Young adults who engage in sexual activity are more likely to contract chlamydia. This is brought on by biological traits and behaviors that are typical of young people. Due to the fact that it can spread through anal and oral sex, gay and bisexual men are also at risk.
According to the National Chlamydia Coalition, chlamydia cases had climbed 19% over the preceding five years as of 2019. The COVID-19 epidemic also didn’t seem to significantly slow the trend down, despite the efforts imposed to prevent social isolation:
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted a rise in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis between 2020 and 2021 of 4%, 4%, and 32%, respectively. The CDC went on to say that it’s conceivable that these estimates were low because people weren’t being examined for these infections as frequently as they would have been if the epidemic hadn’t discouraged them from seeking medical attention.
