Survey of Serologic Evidence for Syphilis among the Masai of Tanzania

Abstract

T HE MASAI PEOPLE of East Africa are Nilo-Hamitic pastoralist,s who occupy a large highland area along the eastern limb of the Rift Va,lley. They have maintained their traditional way of life while giving ground steadily to surrounding agriculturists who have been aided in this land pressure by foreign colonists. It is often said in East Africa that the Masai are heavily infected with venereal disease, although there is little documentation to support this opinion. The belief may be a kind of slander arising from the truculent, haughty, and superior manner which the Masai typically assume and which has complicated the social interaction of this East African tribe with others. If indeed the Masai are heavily infected with venereal disease this must constitute a public health problem deserving attention. During studies of the behavior of cardiovascular disease among the Masai, an opportunity was available for investigation of the prevalence of venereal disease among them. When the cardiovascular study was arranged, a bargain was made with the leaders of the tribe. In return for submitting to physical examination and the drawing of blood specimens, the tribesmen were to be examined and treated, if necessary, for venereal disease. Accordingly, the clinical and serologic evidence for venereal disease in 406 Masai living in South Masailand of 'Tanzania (Tanganyika at that time) was investigated during two cardiovascular field surveys in 1962 and 1963. 'The customs of the Masai are relevant to the behavior of venereal disease among them. The society is patriarchal and polygamous. A warrior class, called murran, serves both to protect the tribe and to obtain cattle and women from surrounding tribes. This class is formed at age 12 to 15 years when the boys are initiated into the rites of manhood. These youths then assume responsibilities for defending the clan and the cattle and they acquire certain privileges, Dr. Mann and Dr. Sandstead are with the division of nutrition, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. Dr. Anderson is at Meharry Medical College, Nashville. Dr. Shafller was associated with the African Medical and Research Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya. Technical assistance was provided by Mrs. Virginia Falcone and Dr. M. Brittain Moore, Jr., Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, Public Health Service, Atlanta, Ga.; H. Prendergast of the African Medical and Research Foundation; and S. Moitanik, J. 01 Monah, S. M. Isaac, and 0. H. Msangi of the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The studies were supported by grants from the National Livestock and Meat Board, the American Heart Association, and the National Heart Institute of the Public Health Service. Dr. Mann is a career investigator of the National Heart Institute (K6-HE-8288) .