INTEGRATION OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS-CONTROL ACTIVITIES INTO THE PRIMARY-HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM IN THE GIZAN REGION, SAUDI-ARABIA

A few decades ago, the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in the human inhabitants of the Gizan region of Saudi Arabia was very high (43%-91%). A vertical programme for the Control of the disease, by case finding, treatment of infected individuals and by chemical sna il control, was begun in 1974 and led to significant reductions in pre valence in most areas. In 1989 the control activities were gradually i ntegrated into the primary-health-care (PHC) system. Several schools i n the area recently participated in the detection of ova (among school children and neighbouring communities) and organized health-education sessions. The records taken during the vertical and PHC programmes ind icate that there were more diagnoses and higher chemotherapy coverage in the latter. The PHC programme has maintained the overall prevalence of infection at an extremely low level (<1%) and the infection has be en completely eradicated in several areas. The participation of school s proved to be particularly useful in terms of population coverage and health education.