Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
there is no prearranged package, and each country should tailor the
approach to its particular eco-epidemiological conditions.
Socio-economic aspects such as availability of resources and health
priorities are also important determinants to choose the most cost-effective
approach to control STH. In a limited number of countries that are fast
“developing,” like the Seychelles, Iran and South Africa, it should be
possible to replicate the experience of Japan and Korea (long-term elimi-
nation of the problem
with no need of further intervention). For slower
“developing” countries, the objective is less ambitious (morbidity control
in high-risk groups) but still necessary and relevant for the health status of
those concerned.
Endemic countries should evaluate the need for integrated control of
STH with the objective of improving effectiveness and reducing the cost
of control programs. Priority areas for integration at the national levels,
partners and opportunities for integrated STH control should be identi-
fied. As recommended by a workshop on integrated control of parasitic
infections in East Mediterranean Countries,
21
where the health system
allows, integration of parasitic and communicable diseases should be
implemented at all levels: intersectoral (Health, Interior, Agriculture,
Education), regional, district, and primary healthcare. Special efforts
should be made to strengthen the intersectoral collaboration and coor-
dination between ministries at central level, and the intrasectoral coor-
dination within departments of the Ministry of Health.
The WHO strategy for control of STH is designed to meet the needs of
endemic countries and to promote tools for diagnosis and disease control
that are appropriate and sustainable. An essential component is the
monitoring and evaluation that enables managers of helminth control
programs and health planners to quantify the benefits of the intervention
and to adapt the control strategy according to its outcome.
11
e
References
1. World Health Organization. Report of the WHO informal consultation on the use of
chemotherapy for the control of morbidity due to soil-transmitted nematodes in humans. Geneva
29 April to 1 May 1996. Division of Control of Tropical Diseases. WHO/CTD/SIP.96.2.
Geneva: World Health Organization; 1996.
2. Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Korean Association for Parasite Eradication. Preva-
lence of intestinal parasitic infection in Korea, sixth report. Seoul: Monographic series [in
Korean] KAPE; 1996.
3. De Carneri I. Parasitologia generale ed umana [in Italian], Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
Milano. 1989;44
45.
4. Hall A, Hewitt G, Tuffrey V, De Silva N. A review and meta-analysis of the impact of
intestinal worms on child growth and nutrition. Maternal and Child Nutrition
2008;4(Suppl. 1):118
e
236.
5. McConnell CR, Brue SL. Economics. The Economy of Developing Countries. p. 757
e
90.
e
McGraw-Hill; 2008.
