A Pilot Scheme of Venereal Diseases Control in East Africa

Abstract

In a report from the Colonial Office (1950) it is stated that the venereal diseases are second only to malaria as a cause of ill-health in East Africa. Writing on the same subject, McElligott (1951), dealing with East and Central Africa, and Lees (1951), discussing West Africa, agree that the incidence is very higha formidable medical problem. The summary by Rae (1951) of the venereal diseases problem in the Colonial Empire as a whole gives little real information because of lack of dependable data. This lack of vital statistics and the quite inadequate pathology services in the colonies have served to mask to a great extent the gravity of the situation. Until recent years little effective action could have been taken; before the introduction of the antibiotics the courses of treatment were such that the defaulter rate was practically 100 per cent. This no longer need hold true.