The epidemiology and management of sexually transmitted diseases in Maiduguri metropolis

ABSTRACT

Organization of special venereology clinics in many developing countries; including Nigeria; as a means of controlling sexually transmitted diseases in these countries. The epidemiology; and especially the bihavioural determinants of these diseases; are so varied; even within the same country; that such clinics alone may not be enough or even contribute significantly to the control of these diseases. This study of the epidemiology and treatment patterns of the STDs in Maiduguri in North Eastern Nigeria shows that in spite of the availibility of two special treatment (STD) clinics in the town; only a very small percentage (0.8 percent) of the patients in that city are seen in these clinics. Some of the social and health management factors responsible for this attendance pattern are identified and discussed in the study