The role of primary health care in filariasis control in Indonesia.

In filariasis control in Indonesia, various regimes of DEC administration have been tried out with good results. However, the higher dosage regimes gave severe reactions. Since a trial with low dosage administration by community leaders gave very good results with minimal side effects, the execution of the control program was handed over to the Primary Health Care unit whose personnel trained community leaders to recognize the symptoms of the disease, distribute the drugs and treat side effects when they occurred. Communicable disease control through health care approach is now being promoted. The activities in the Integrated Services post are carried out by volunteers through village organizations supervised by the health care unit was established, using 1 cadre to look after the health of 10 households.