The schistosomiasis problem in the Philippines: a review

A descriptive study was carried on the schistosomiasis problem in the Philippines from the time the disease was discovered in 1906 to the latter part of the 1990 s. Some research findings were reviewed including the nature of the disease itself. Based on the thrust of the control program which is centered mainly on selective mass treatment and progressed to disease stratification and mass treatment using praziquantel, a downward trend in the prevalence of the disease was observed-from an average of 10.4% in 1981-1985 to 4.1% in 1996. Recommended prospective action, among others, include the development of strategies on environmental sanitation and snail control/eradication in the thrust of the schistosomiasis control program. Other policy related concerns should be formulated subject to the results of further research activities such as on (a) chemotherapy; (b) drug delivery schemes; (c) diagnosis; (d) search for a safe, economical and effective chemical(s) for vector control; and (e) prophylaxis and vaccine production for protection against infection for disease modulation or reduction of pathology.