Utilization of Health Care Services for STD Treatment in Kahe Community of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania.

A population based survey set to find out the existence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and use of health care services among residents of Oria village in Kahe ward of Kilimanjaro region in northern Tanzania in 1997. A few of the STDs symptoms covered were history of painful micturation (dysuria), urethral discharge and genital ulcer(s). This was a cross-sectional study using quantitative data collection technique in which a total of 898 villagers were interviewed. Findings revealed that in the past 223 (25.4%) had dysuria, 69 (7.7%) had urethral discharge while 28 (3.1%) had genital ulcer. At the time of the interview, 88 (9.8%) people had dysuria, 29 (3.2%) had urethral discharge and 9 (1.0%) had genital ulcer. Health care was sought from different sources, mostly from modern health care especially government health facilities (HFs) followed by private HFs and less so to pharmacies and traditional healers. No significant differences were found between the proportions of respondents that pertained to the different demographic variables with regard to utilization of the different health services. However, it is doubtful as to whether people treat themselves adequately since among those currently having STDs symptoms, some had previous history of treatment for the same problems. This may be due to either inadequate treatment, re-infection from untreated partners or new infections. A real explanation ought to be explored through future studies. Meanwhile, there is need to re-direct the existing strategies in addressing STDs in Oria village. The increasing demand for STDs management requires an increase in the number of HFs both private and public that have skilled health workers, the necessary supplies and drugs. Special efforts be made to target high risk groups using different health education packages on STDs and reinforce contact tracing while alternative sources of health care need to be explored further