Attempt to initiate community action programmes in venereal disease education in the United States of America.

There is little question that the control of the venereal diseases should be one of the major priorities of the various health professions in the United States of America. It is estimated that one American contracts a venereal disease every 15 seconds, and there are believed to be over half a million persons infected with syphilis in the United States and 2,000,000 new cases of gonorrhoea annually (Brown, 1971). The steady increase in the number of cases has made it of paramount importance that efforts be directed toward their control. One of the essential elements of control is education. Venereal disease education does not necessarily change a person's sexual behaviour, but those with knowledge about the symptoms and effects of these infections will seek treatment sooner than those who are ignorant (Schwartz, 1971). Earlier diagnosis gives a greater likelihood of successful treatment, with fewer complications and better contact tracing. The venereal diseases strike hardest among teenagers and young adults, so that venereal disease education must be given during adolescence. Children rarely receive any information about the venereal diseases from their parents and most of the facts they do acquire consist largely of misinformation from their friends (Benell, 1970). It would seem logical then to consider the schools as an acceptable avenue through which correct information could be disseminated to the young. Yet there are many schools which offer no venereal disease education and many others where teaching is sporadic (Brown, 1971). One of the major deterrents to school instruction is the reluctance of teachers to discuss this type of subject. This attitude is due to their feelings of inadequacy (Benell, 1970). It is therefore necessary to instruct potential educators first, and to encourage their active involvement; such educators include not only school teachers, but also health professionals and concerned citizens who are willing to disseminate