Clark T E, Appleton C C, Kvalsvig J D
Durban Natural Science Museum, South Africa.
Acta Trop. 1997 Aug;66(2):93-107. doi: 10.1016/s0001-706x(97)00672-4.
In the last decade plant molluscicides have received considerable attention in the search for cheaper alternatives to chemotherapy and synthetic molluscicides in schistosomiasis control. The attraction of a locally grown molluscicidal plant is based on the development of a philosophy of self-reliance and community involvement. This approach is dependent on community recognition of the infection as a public health problem and their acceptance of proposed control measures. The objectives of this study were: (i) firstly, to assess the knowledge of schistosomiasis in a rural community and their attitude to the use of indigenous plant molluscicides; (ii) secondly, to assess the prevalence and intensity of infection in relation to its severity as perceived within the community. Study sites were located at Mtwalume (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). Sixty-nine community members were interviewed during six focus-group interviews and two depth interviews. Urine and stool samples (354 and 306, respectively) from children and young adults (2-25 years old) were analysed for Helminth and Protozoal infections. Results indicate that despite a poor understanding of schistosomiasis, it is a primary health concern for those dependent on river-water for their water requirements. Concern for schistosomiasis is indeed matched by a prevalence of 75.14% for Schistosoma haematobium. Oral antischistosomal drugs are inaccessible primarily due to the cost of transport and secondarily, due to the cost of treatment. The concept of molluscicidal control, as an alternative, was enthusiastically received by all respondents.
在过去十年中，植物杀螺剂在寻找比化疗和合成杀螺剂更便宜的血吸虫病控制替代方法方面受到了相当大的关注。本地种植的杀螺植物的吸引力基于自力更生和社区参与理念的发展。这种方法依赖于社区将感染视为公共卫生问题并接受提议的控制措施。本研究的目标是：（i）首先，评估农村社区对血吸虫病的了解及其对使用本土植物杀螺剂的态度；（ii）其次，评估感染的流行率和强度及其在社区中被感知的严重程度之间的关系。研究地点位于姆特瓦卢梅（南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省）。在六次焦点小组访谈和两次深度访谈中，对69名社区成员进行了访谈。对儿童和年轻人（2至25岁）的尿液和粪便样本（分别为354份和306份）进行了蠕虫和原生动物感染分析。结果表明，尽管对血吸虫病的了解不足，但对于那些依赖河水满足用水需求的人来说，它是主要的健康问题。确实，埃及血吸虫的流行率为75.14%，与对血吸虫病的关注程度相符。口服抗血吸虫药物难以获得，主要原因是运输成本，其次是治疗成本。作为一种替代方法，杀螺控制的概念受到了所有受访者的热烈欢迎。
