Critical evaluation of the venereal disease control campaign in Poland 1970-76

Abstract

A comprehensive campaign to control venereal diseases was undertaken in Poland in 1970. During the eight-year period of the campaign a significant decrease in the morbidity rate of gonorrhoea and syphilis was achieved. The number of cases of primary and secondary syphilis decreased by 85% and the number of cases of gonorrhoea by 30%. This paper presents the main guidelines of the campaign and a critical evaluation of the various epidemiological methods applied, such as mass screening for syphilis and gonorrhoea, epidemiological treatment, contact-tracing, improvement of treatment methods, improvement of methods of health education, and training of physicians and laboratory staff in venereology.