ABSTRACT
Tracing STD active contacts is regarded as the cornerstone in controlling STDs. However; most of the success has been reported in developed countries. Among the major reasons why health programs fail in developing countries is non-utilization of local health clinic nurses in planning health programs. Active contact tracing involves interviewing; tracing; treating; and following up the sexual partners of STD victims. A research survey was conducted among 62 nurses working in local city health clinics in Zimbabwe; designed to help develop a program to trace active STD contacts. Findings show that local health clinic nurses made important and unanimous decisions on both general and sensitive issues with regard to STD control and prevention in the city in the following areas: a) identifying benefits of the program and other groups of health care providers who should be involved in the program; and b) determining what the role of government should be
