A DECREASE IN THE INCIDENCE OF SYPHILIS IN IRAN AND THE EFFECT OF ISLAMIC RULES IN CONTROLLING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

Venereal diseases are still a common problem in today's world. Even though tremendous advances are being made in medicine and large budgets are being spent to control sexually transmitted diseases (STD), especially in western countries, these diseases are still yet very common, and today AIDS has been added to the threats posed by STD to human life. The status of syphilis was evaluated in Iran in the years before and after the Islamic Revolution by comparing RPR test results in blood specimens obtained for transfusions from all groups of the society. RPR positivity was 0.6% for the years 1974-76, while it was only 0.2% for the years 1985-87, demonstrating a sharp decline. Divine laws, especially those offered by Islamic rules, are much more effective than present expensive medical measures to control venereal diseases, and can return sexual health to the human society.