Mozambique has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world, affecting around 12.4% of adults aged 15 to 49.
Main Infections and Health Impacts
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are primarily spread through sexual contact. The most common include HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital herpes, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV infection is widespread and strongly associated with cervical cancer. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and abnormal discharge. While cervical cancer is curable if detected early, questions such as is uterine cancer contagious, the answer is no—cancer itself is not transmitted, but HPV, the virus that can cause it, is.
Hepatitis B also deserves attention as it can be sexually transmitted and may lead to chronic illness. Genital herpes, characterised by sores or blisters in the genital area, differs from oral herpes but can be managed with antiviral medication like acyclovir, which helps reduce outbreaks.
HIV symptoms often appear weeks after exposure and can include persistent fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and oral thrush. Though there is no cure, HIV is now managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART), enabling people to live longer with controlled viral loads.
Diagnosis and Testing
Early diagnosis is crucial. In Mozambique, free testing for HIV and syphilis is available through the public health system. Additional tests for hepatitis B, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea may be offered when possible. Asymptomatic infections like chlamydia may go undetected without molecular testing (NAAT). Cervical screening through Pap smears remains essential in identifying early changes linked to HPV.
Joaquim Chaves Saúde supports public education on STIs and provides comprehensive care—from raising awareness and encouraging prevention to offering precise laboratory diagnostics and personalised follow-up for patients across Mozambique.
