ABSTRACT
Hwange District is the largest district in Matabeleland North with a population of 142 000 (1992 census). In Hwange district the number of STD patients has remained persistently high in the past 5 years. This is despite the fact that Health Education campaigns have been intensified in the light of the HIV/AIDS epidemic; considering that STD's and HIV are transmitted in a similar way. Even children between the ages of 12 and 15 years have been treated for STDs. The main findings were: 1. half of STD patients sought treatment early; 2. the strong belief of both traditional healers and STD patients that cleansing is an essential part of the treatment for STDs; makes patients seek treatment from traditional healers even if symptoms have disappeared after treatment at a clinic; 3. Due to lack of communication between partners; re-infection by sexual partners occurred; 4. Negative attitudes of health workers which include confidentiality; privacy; and poor communication discourage patients from seeking treatment in health centres; 5. lack of Health Education to the patients who attend the health centres for treatment leaves them uninformed about their disease exposing them to re-infection; 6. antibiotics were said to be on sale over the counter in pharmacies at Victoria Falls and from Private doctors in Bulawayo