The control of gonorrhea by obstetricians and gynecologists

A questionnaire was mailed to all specialists practicing obstetrics-gynecology in two geographically remote metropolitan areas of comparable size. In one city routine culture for gonorrhea was performed by less than one-fifth of respondents, over one-fourth of diagnosed cases were unreported to the health department, and two-thirds of diagnosed patients had symptomatic infection. In the second city, where the Public Health Department had instituted a program of free culture media and microbiologic identification, half of responding physicians routinely cultured for gonorrhea, 93% of identified cases were reported, and half of diagnosed patients had asymptomatic infection. In both cities inappropriate therapy was given by nearly half of the respondents, and epidemiologic treatment was routinely used by less than half of the respondents. Data support the use of public health programs for diagnosis, and indicate that further physician education regarding appropriate individual and epidemiologic management are needed.