Alternative approaches in schistosomiasis control.
Measures for the control of schistosomiasis were implemented in Egypt beginning 1922. This shows that developing endemic countries are facing this problem for near 70 years. However, results in the control of this infection have not been satisfactorily obtained in spite of the technologies and strategies recently developed. The idea that social and economic components are relevant in the control of schistosomiasis is not new although its extension and profundity have not usually been well understood. More recently, most of the workers have recognized that the focal distribution of the prevalence rates of schistosomiasis should not be neglected in the control of the infection. At present, field work projects on the control of schistosomiasis are being developed in rural areas of two Brazilian studies (Espírito Santo and Pernambuco). The adopted strategy aims to interfere in the complex relationships between man and his bio-social-cultural environment, without forgetting that the unequal distribution of the space is a consequence of the political and economic organization of the Society.
Barbosa
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FS
Núcleo de Doenças Endêmicas Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Coimbra Júnior
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CE
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003154:Community Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D003906:Developing Countries; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008975:Molluscacides; D009313:National Health Programs; D009534:Niclosamide; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012424:Rural Population; D012498:Sanitary Engineering; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control
D008975:Molluscacides; D012556:Schistosomicides; D009534:Niclosamide