This work had the objective of assessing the present epidemiological situation regarding schistosomiasis through performing Kato-Katz coproscopic tests on representative samples of schoolchildren from each of the 43 municipality of endemic area of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The methodology is recommended by the World Health Organization to conduct sampled surveys among children at elementary school levels, ideal target group for baseline surveys: (i) schools are accessible; (ii) the greatest prevalence of schistosomiasis is found within this group; (iii) the data gathered from this age group can be used for intervention within the community as a whole. The following infection indicators were utilized: positivity (percentage of individuals examined with eggs of Schistosoma mansoni in the feces) and severity (geometric mean number of eggs per gram of feces, epg). These indicators allowed the area in general and the municipalities in particular toSince the last decade, the coastal and forest zones of the state of Pernambuco have been the target of various field investigations on schistosomiasis. The emphasis has been on the ecology and control of the mollusks that are the intermediate hosts (Barbosa 1992a,b, 1996, Barbosa & Barbosa 1994, 1996, Barbosa et al. 1992, 1993, Bogéa et al. 1996, Dannemann & Pieri 1989, 1991, 1993a, b, Favre et al. 1995, 1997, Gazin et al. 2000, Pieri 1995, Pieri & Dannemann 1996, Pieri & Thomas 1986, 1987, Randall et al. 2001, Sarquis et al. 1997, the ecological and epidemiological determinants of the disease (Barbosa 1992b, 1997, 1998a, b, Barbosa & Coimbra 2000, Barbosa & Gouveia 2000, Coutinho et al. 1997, Gazin et al. 2002, Gonçalves et al. 1992, Simões-Barbosa et al. 2001, and also the impact of chemotherapy treatment for infected individuals, in relation to the transmission dynamics of the disease , Favre et al. 2002, Zani et al. 2004). The knowledge resulting from these studies has made it possible to adapt the schistosomiasis evaluation and control strategies recommended by central health bodies -WHO at the worldwide level and the Health Surveillance Department of the Ministry of Health at the national level -to the regional characteristics and demands.A critical assessment of the schistosomiasis control actions implemented in Pernambuco by the national bodies prior to the introduction of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde -SUS) showed that the situation in the endemic area continued to be of concern, despite the occurrence of an apparent reduction in preva- In view of the fact that the estimated population at risk of contracting schistosomiasis in the 43 municipalities in the Forest Zone of Pernambuco is 1.2 million (http:/ /www.ibge.gov.br/cidadesat/), it is unlikely that the covenanted targets will allow the real situation regarding schistosomiasis to be known over the short to medium term. One alternative recommended by WHO (2002) is to conduct sampled surveys among children at elementary school levels (i.e. between 7 and 14 years of age). These childre...
