Observations on syphilis in Addis Ababa. 1. General considerations.

The socioeconomic picture of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is briefly described and the provision of general medical care is outlined. Control of venereal disease is centred on one clinic. Here two doctors attend to nearly 1000 outpatients daily. It is perhaps not surprising that self-diagnosis and self-medication are common and follow-up attendance is erratic.