Schistosomiasis in Brazil: Does social development suffice?

Microgeographical patterns of schistosomiasis and water contact behavior; examples from Africa and Brazil

“…When combined with information on knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding household water sources, this information may facilitate health education programs. Spatial studies of the distribution of schistosomiasis cases and water contact can play a major role in Brazil's national schistosomiasis control program as it is becoming increasingly concerned with the identification and control of residual transmission foci (Kloetzel 1989). Mapping of water contact, especially activity-specific contact, can elucidate distance relationships more precisely than mere data aggregation.…”

“…Thus, intensity of infection is influenced considerably by the frequency, duration and intensity of human contact with infective water. Spatial studies of schistosomiasis, snail intermediate hosts and water resources have been carried out at both the macrogeographical (world-wide, regional, national and district) (Hunter 1981, Doumenge 1987, Kloos et al 1988, Bavia et al 1994) and microgeographical (community) levels (Kloos et al 1983, Lima e Costa et al 1985, Kloetzel 1989, Barreto 1991. Although they use data of different levels of aggregation and specificity, these two types of study can complement each other.…”

An interactive perspective of health education for the tropical disease control: the schistosomiasis case

“…Most health education and shistosomiasis control programs failed by regarding the intrinsic feature of each individual case, since such knowledge is insufficient with respect to the inherent aspects of affected communities and their divergent logic (Kloetzel 1989). As Kloos (1995) warned, "an educational method shall be effective solely if it suits the local conditions where it is applied".…”

The role of population movement in the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis in Brazil: a preliminary typology of population movement

“…In addition, the prevalence of infection was reduced by more than 50% in hyperendemic municipalities in the state of Paraíba after the first year of treatment . Nation-wide, the number of hospitalised cases fell by 65% between 1988-1999; schistosomiasis-specific mortality fell by 54% between 197954% between -199754% between (WHO 2000 and mean schistosomiasis prevalence rates declined from 11.5% in 1980-1989to 9.2% in 1990(Coura & Amaral 2004. Over the same period, however, prevalence rates increased in five states [Alagoas (AL), Sergipe, Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Ceará and Santa Catarina (SC)] and in the Federal District (FD); the rates did not change in Paraná (PR) (Coura & Amaral 2004).…”

“…Control has been particularly difficult in places that depend on farming, fishing and other activities that increase occupational exposure (Kloetzel 1989, WHO 2000. Groups with low socioeconomic status generally have a higher risk of contracting schistosomiasis and of being affected by the disease for an extended period of time.…”