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
