Hidatidosis Control in the Province of Rio Negro, Argentine: Evaluation of Veterenary Health Care Activities

Abstract

Background: Hidatidosis constitutes a seious Pulic Health problem in the Province of Rio Negro. Argentine. This situation has promoted the implementation of a Control Programme. carried out in 1979. The occumulated experience of 1.3 years works is presented in this study. Methods: The strategy used is that of the Primary Health Care; and community participation is a fundamental component of the programme ils well as local planning and the approach of risk in the allocation of resources. The activities included the systematic dogs deparasitation with Praziquantel. carried out by health agents from the system rural hospitals (health promoters not professional staff): the surveillance of dogs rate of infection by means of diagnostic deparasitations made with bromhidrate of arecoline, educational talks at schools. the use of mass media. an the determination of ovine parasitsm in studies carried out in the area abattoirs. Results: The information registered indicates that 1.86.156 dog deparasitations with Prazicuantel were carried out with a consumption of 443.533 tablets and 11.178 deparasitations with Bromhidrate and Arecolina. A continous decrease of rates appears during the Period 1979-1992. So. dog Equinococcosis was reduced from 41.5% to 4.24% and ovine Hldatidosis from 61% to 12.7%. Consequently. Human Hidatidosis has decreased from an incidence rate of 64.11 x 100.000 in the age group of 0 to 10 years to and incidence rate of 4.46 x 100.000. Conclusions: Finally. the results of the Programme are analyzed in the light df other global experiences of control: and the strategies that should be put into practicc in the future with a view to a final limitation of the rate of transmision to man are analyzed.