Abstract
Described is the evolution of the schistosomiasis control programme in Burundi since 1985. A single round of selective population chemotherapy was carried out in the Rusizi Plain and the Bugesera focus from 1985 to 1990. The prevalences and intensities of infection as well as the number of symptomatic cases detected in general health services decreased considerably. Annual sample surveys in the treated areas showed, however, that these improvements were rapidly reversed by reinfection of the demographically changing population. Since repeated selective population chemotherapy was not sustainable in the long term, a primary health care approach was adopted. In areas with good access to basic health services, approximately 10% of all schistosomiasis cases now receive treatment annually through this approach. Yearly selective chemotherapy in primary schools in suburban Bujumbura reduced the prevalence of schistosomal infection among pupils from 23% to 9% over the period 1984-90, and this programme has now been extended to highly endemic areas in Imbo-Sud. Focal snail control produced disappointing results, and emphasis has therefore shifted towards health education and environmental control of transmission.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Engels D., Mpitabakana P. Schistosomiasis control and health education in Burundi. Trop Med Parasitol. 1989 Jun;40(2):226–227. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gryseels B., Nkulikyinka L., Engels D. Repeated community-based chemotherapy for the control of Schistosoma mansoni: effect of screening and selective treatment on prevalences and intensities of infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1991 Oct;45(4):509–517. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1991.45.509. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gryseels B. The epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Burundi and its consequences for control. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1991 Sep-Oct;85(5):626–633. doi: 10.1016/0035-9203(91)90371-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Homeida M. A., Fenwick A., DeFalla A. A., Suliman S., Kardaman M. W., el Tom I., Nash T., Bennett J. L. Effect of antischistosomal chemotherapy on prevalence of Symmers' periportal fibrosis in Sudanese villages. Lancet. 1988 Aug 20;2(8608):437–440. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(88)90424-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Katz N., Chaves A., Pellegrino J. A simple device for quantitative stool thick-smear technique in Schistosomiasis mansoni. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 1972 Nov-Dec;14(6):397–400. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Peters P. A., El Alamy M., Warren K. S., Mahmoud A. A. Quick Kato smear for field quantification of Schistosoma mansoni eggs. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1980 Mar;29(2):217–219. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1980.29.217. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]