Contact tracing in the control of STD in Ibadan, Nigeria

Contact tracing carried out at this clinic was analysed as part of measures for control of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Results showed that 50% of 156 contacts could not be traced at all for various reasons, and that 47% of the contacts were brought in through persuasion by index patients who had been counselled at the clinic. Only four contacts were traced, and two of these attended the clinic. Index patient cooperation is thus identified as the most important factor in the success of contact tracing, because of the high level of illiteracy and poor communications facilities in Nigeria, compared with industrialised countries.