Abstract

PIP: The attempt is made in this discussion to provide a more precise and detailed description of gonorrhea among men and women of a remote rural area of Uganda. The study was part of an intensive Demographic Research Project that had as its objectives investigation of the cultural, social, medical and economic factors related to differential rates of population growth and testing methods of collecting accurate data on vital events. 2 rural districts were selected as having low and high fertility respectively--the Teso District in the Eastern Region with low fertility and Anokole District in the Western Region with high fertility--and gonorrhea was found to be 1 of the most important factors responsible for these differences. Of the 166 men examined in Ankole, only 7 were found to have gonorrhea. Of the 168 women who were adequately examined, only 4 were found to have gonorrhea. Gonorrhea was found to be highly prevalent in the Teso District. Due to the fact that 1/3 of those affected were symptomless, there is little question that many more cases would have been diagnosed if other diagnostic procedures had been included, such as obtaining urethral material from all subjects. In addition to the current evidence of gonorrhea, the following features were noted in the Teso men, and these may be considered as diagnostic concomitants (and some as determinants) of the gonorrhea status of the community. Of the 270 men interviewed, 70 indicated that they were unable to pass urine freely or easily. This total included 15 cases of currently diagnosed gonorrhea. 150 of the 270 men gave a past history of urethral discharge. 1 of the most significant features encountered was the nodular thickening of the lower pole (globus minor) of the epididymis, or more extensive involvement in some cases. 61 of the 270 men gave a past history of genital sores. Of those with more than 1 wife, 75.0% reported a past history of discharge, as compared with 55.6% of those who only had 1 wife. This difference was significant.