Chiredzi district has recorded 6311 in four months  move which is likely to erode efforts by government to reduce new HIV infections.
HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections are closely related and there is a high risk of  one to get  HIV  if he is infected with STIs.
According to Masvingo provincial National AIDS Council coordinator Evos Makoni for the third ( 3^rd ) quarter of this year, the district ( Chiredzi) recorded 6 311 cases of STIs being the highest ever.
He attributed the ballooning number of STIs to the ailing economy which has not spared sugar milling companies in Chiredzi.
“We have realized that Chiredzi used to come second to Masvingo rural. But this year it has been shooting higher and it has the highest figures,”he said.
“What we have also analysed is that the economic trend we have in Chiredzi means they have more disposable income.”
He said Chiredzi town has the highest new STIs as compared to those recorded in rural Chiredzi.
In terms of health care centres Makni said Chiredzi hospital has the highest number of new infections followed by Tshovani Poly Clinic, Hippo Valley Medical Centre and Collin Saunders Hospital.
Zaka district which was previously the highest area in  Masvingo with new STIs according to Makoni this time has the least number of cases having recorded 3 564 cases by the third quarter this year.