Sexually transmitted disease seen in general practice in Northland: a survey

A three month survey was made of all new cases of gonorrhoea, non-specific urethritis (NSU) and syphilis seen by general practitioners in Northland during the summer of 1979/80. Sixty-eight new cases of gonorrhoea, 39 of NSU and 2 of syphilis were reported. For gonorrhoea 88 percent of the cases where age was supplied were under 30 and for NSU 70 percent. There was a high male to female ratio for gonorrhoea and NSU of 4.2 to 1 and it is concluded that there is a need for improved contact tracing and for increased health promotion directed at the under 30 group. A method of estimating seasonal variation and annual incidence in Northland is described.