An approach to VD control based on a study in Kingston, Jamaica

Abstract

Gonorrhoea is the chief venereal disease problem in Jamaica. The major obstacle to successful gonorrhoea control in Jamaica has been the inability to locate and treat the large reservoir of asymptomatic female carriers. In an effort to improve the situation, a study was undertaken in two antenatal clinics in Kingston, Jamaica. Cervical and rectal specimens from 178 consecutive antenatal patients were cultured on Thayer Martin medium, and Neisseria gonorrhoea was isolated from 20 women (11%). This finding of a high rate of gonorrhoea in asymptomatic women and the results of a questionnaire examining such factors as the patients' knowledge of venereal disease, sexual activity, and attitudes towards treatment for venereal disease, led to the conclusion that a successful venereal disease programme in Kingston, Jamaica, should include: The screening for venereal disease of all women attending health clinics; The utilization of trained local women for venereal disease education and screening of other neighbourhood women; The intensive education of the population concerning personal measures to control venereal disease, beginning at an early age in the school; The operation of free, well publicized centres designed to treat the wide spectrum of venereal and genito urinary problems in patients with complete confidentiality.