Health policy regarding the fight against veneral diseases in Poland in the years 1945-1958

One of the most serious health problems occurring among population living in the post-war Poland comprised venereal diseases, including mainly syphilis, which reached proportions that had not been observed since the second half of the 20th century 1). As it was believed at that time, the spread of the said diseases became epidemic. It concerns particularly Regained Territories, where 20-30% of women are infected with gnorrhea, 2-3% is in the initial stadium of syphilis 2). The war time, as well as marches of troops, migration, poverty-stricken migrants and the conditions left by the occupants 3) were in favour of the spread of venereal diseases. Franciszek Litwin (1899-1965), the first post-war Health Minister, claimed that venereal diseases spread at an alarmingly fast rate, people infected with these diseases amount to hundreds of thousands and these numbers are growing bigger like an avalanche which goes from the west and comprises more and more parts of the country 4). At that time, the incidence proportion and prevalence rate regarding venereal diseases in Poland were one of the highest in Europe.