Integration of schistosomiasis control activities into the primary health care system in the Gizan region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

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 snail control, was begun in 1974 and led to significant reductions in prevalence in most areas. In 1989 the control activities were gradually integrated into the primary-health-care (PHC) system. Several schools in the area recently participated in the detection of ova (among schoolchildren and neighbouring communities) and organized health-education sessions. The records taken during the vertical and PHC programmes indicate 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 been completely eradicated in several areas. The participation of schools proved to be particularly useful in terms of population coverage and health education.

Community-based interventions for the prevention and control of helmintic neglected tropical diseases

“…A school-based delivery strategy was the most common delivery strategy used in 12 [9,13-21,24,25] studies targeting children aged five to 15 years, thirteen [10,12,22,23,25-32,40] studies were non-integrated vertically delivered interventions, seven [11,33,34,36-39] were integrated with primary healthcare (PHC), and routine antenatal care (ANC) services. Almost all the studies had a component on health education to promote general hygiene and sanitation along with the drug administration.…”

“…Health education and community involvement have been highlighted as essential components in any strategy for helminthic infection control and have been used in many countries [12,22,33]. Examples of such successful programs are the chemotherapy program in Sudan where village health committees served as facilitators, and in Zimbabwe where CHWs were involved in the implementation of improvements to the water supply, sanitation, and in health education programs.…”

“…Strong commitment of all partners to the intervention has reportedly led to excellent participation levels and a significant clinical impact [34,40]. Besides health education and community participation, the socioeconomic development leading to a general rise in living standards, improved sanitation and water supplies, construction of drilled wells in rural areas, and a significant increase in medical care also played a large part in the control of helminthic NTDs [33]. Another important enabling factor was free distribution of drugs and supplies to ensure equitable distribution to poor and marginalized groups, which also helped avoid a complicated system of cost recovery and achieve high compliance levels.…”

Ecological Niche Modeling and Land Cover Risk Areas for Rift Valley Fever Vector, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

“…1) and includes ∼13,432 km 2 [30] inhabited by 1,365,110 people averaging 117people/km 2 [28], [30]. The Red Sea forms the western boundary; the Republic of Yemen forms its eastern and southern boundaries, and Aseer region is the northern border [31]. Topology and climate of Jazan can be categorized into three distinct sectors: the eastern Sarawat Mountains range 2,000–2,500 m a.s.l.…”

Disintegrated care: the Achilles heel of international health policies in low and middle-income countries

“…The need to integrate programmes into local health facilities in order to achieve a reasonable prospect for successful disease control is stressed by many authors [ 17 – 22 ]. They also point to the merit of integrating curative and preventive care.…”