COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE ERADICATION OF GUINEA WORM DISEASE

As Guinea worm eradication programmes have got under way in endemic co untries over the last decade, there has been a shift towards more part icipatory methods. The approach to surveillance has changed from perio dic cross-sectional surveys to monthly village-based reporting of case s by a volunteer village health worker. At the same time, the emphasis regarding control interventions has moved from the provision of safe water supplies to health education. The new approach has proved very e ffective. The village health volunteers who carry out both surveillanc e and health education seem to be motivated largely by the social stat us of their role; still more commitment will be required of them in th e final stages of eradication. It is to be hoped that the networks of village health workers established for Guinea worm eradication will fi nd a useful role in health promotion after the worms have gone.