Community control of schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe

The community-based primary health care approach to control schistosomiasis morbidity is the strategy adopted in Zimbabwe. The paper outlines the results of such a control strategy in a rural community with over 30,000 people in the Madziwa area of Zimbabwe from 1985 to 1989. The community-based control strategy involved diagnosis of infection in school children (seven-15 years of age) using reagent strips followed by treatment with praziquantel. The treatment was linked to programmes aimed at improved sanitation, better water supplies and health education. Following chemotherapy, there was a marked reduction in schistosomiasis prevalence (urinary and intestinal forms combined) (from 60 to 20pc) in the affected groups. Of even greater importance was the significant reduction of 90pc in heavy infections (greater than 50 S. haematobium eggs per 10 ml of urine of greater than 100 S. mansoni eggs per gram of faeces). Progress made through chemotherapy was consolidated by the implementation of intervention measures aimed at reducing human water contact with cercariae infested water. In the last three years of the community-based programme, 2,152 improved ventilated pit latrines were constructed and 104 hand pumps installed at new or existing water points. Drama competitions at schools showed great potential in communicating health education messages. However, technical and organisational difficulties limited the impact of the health education to the general population. A single application of the synthetic molluscicide Bayluscide was carried out in the main streams at the beginning of the programme in support of the initial chemotherapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)