[Sexually transmissible disease in tropical Africa]

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases in tropical Africa are a severe problem. The facilities for diagnosis and treatment in general are pour. Reliable informations on epidemiology are rare. Gonorrhea and non-gonorrheal urethritis are probably the commonest in tropical Africa, frequently giving rise to epididymitis, urethral strictures and salpingitis as well as pelvic inflammatory diseases, important factors of infertility. Evidence available suggests that the incidence of infectious syphilis is high. Some authors however are of the opinion that there is a steady decline of the condition. Among young children gonococcal vulvovaginitis and ophthalmia neonatorum as well as congenital syphilis are still very common. The management of sexually transmitted diseases has been briefly reviewed as well as the role of socio-cultural attitudes.