[Integration of malaria control in primary health care in rural environment. General considerations]

Only 20 to 40% of the rural populations in Africa south of Sahara have the possibility to benefit from the classical health care. This situation interferes in the campaign against the main endemic diseases. Thus, in the efforts to control malaria, it appears necessary to get the population participation through the development of the primary health care services. Systematic chemotherapy of febrile attacks seems to be the easiest field strategy on a large way. The authors believe that such a strategy is possible through the development of primary health care services within the progressive decentralization of the health service network.