Fear and Silence Fuel Growing STI Cases, Eldoret Psychologist Asserts
Health centers must offer training on discreet and respectful handling of STI cases, particularly when young adults and teenagers are involved.
In Eldoret, counseling psychologist Kiprono Cheruiyot explains that one of the biggest barriers to fighting the proliferation of STIs is not only overall lack of awareness, but also sheer fear of testing. Photo/Courtesy
By Naomi Cheruiyot
The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs) is slowly increasing in communities. This has raised alarm among global health authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Although infection levels are on the increase, a majority of people still avoid testing. Stigma, fear, and cultural problems are driving this silent epidemic.
In Eldoret, counseling psychologist Kiprono Cheruiyot explains that one of the biggest barriers to fighting the proliferation of STIs is not only overall lack of awareness, but also sheer fear of testing.
“Most people fear testing not because they do not care, but because of the social consequences,” Cheruiyot explains. “They fear shame, stigma, loss of privacy at health facilities, and above all, they fear the result.”
Over 1 million STIs are acquired every day all over the world, as reported by WHO. Most of these infections are asymptomatic and thus likely to remain undetected unless they are regularly screened. In Kenya, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia infections have been rising, especially among the young people aged 15 to 29 years.
Cheruiyot continues to say that misinformation, particularly among youth, worsens the situation. “Many still believe that unless they see symptoms, they are fine. Others feel loyal or being married is security in as far as preventing infection—but we know this is not always the case.”
Breaking the Fear: What Can Be Done
In order to reverse this rising trend, professionals recommend a multi-pronged approach:
Public Awareness Campaigns
Normalize testing by including it as part of routine health checkups. Public personalities and celebrities can help demystify sexual health talk.
Confidential and Youth-Friendly Services
Health centers must offer training on discreet and respectful handling of STI cases, particularly when young adults and teenagers are involved.
School-Based Sex Education
Offering reliable, age-specific sexual health education emphasizing the use of protection, consent, and frequent screening.
Mobile and Community Testing
Making services more accessible to individuals through mobile clinics and outreach can motivate those who fear hospital environments.
Couple and Peer Testing Initiatives
Having partners or peer groups get tested together tends to alleviate feelings of loneliness and fear of stigmatization.
A Call to Action
“Unless we address social fears of STI testing, we keep losing the battle of preventing preventable infections,” warns Cheruiyot. “We must ensure a climate in which sexual health is freely and openly discussed.”
With more numbers, the solution is not medical but in changing attitudes—remodeling from judgment to embracing and from fear to action that is informed.
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