Abstract

PIP: Although previous workers have emphasized that venereal disease is rife in many developing countries, there are no reliable statistics on the relative incidence of such infections. This dearth of information about these infections in Africa is directly related to economic factors and the lack of modern diagnostic facilities and medical manpower. The pattern of these diseases was studied over a 30-month period at a hosptial clinic serving an African population of about 2 million people. Standard diagnostic methods were used. The age distribution of patients conformed with that in other parts of the world except that more prepubertal patients were seen. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1. Nonspecific genital infections were the most common (25.9%) followed closely by postpubertal gonorrhea (19.5%). Prepubertal gonorrhea was more common than reported elsewhere (4.0%) and this may be because the children have been in contact with infected clothing of their parents or family members. Most strains of Neisseria gonorrhea were sensitive to penicillin by the disc method, but a few were markedly resistant to this and other agents. It is to be expected that the problem of gonococcal drug resistance will increase unless effective legislation is introduced to discourage self-medication with antimicrobial preparations. Venereophobia was common (6.6%) and sociocultural factors may play a dominant role in the incidence of the basicially psychiatric condition. Syphilis constituted 2.5% of diagnoses and this can be regarded as an ominous sign in an area where yaws was endemic 2 decades ago and is now virtually nonexistent. It is essential to provide facilities for diagnosis and treatment in every major African town in order to control such infections.