Tambura County, Sudan is situated in the endemic zone of sleeping sickness caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, and periodic epidemics have occurred throughout this century. Because the disease has a human reservoir, it is controlled by population screening and case treatment. Control of the tsetse fly vector has been attempted in the past, but its role in West African sleeping sickness control has not been well-defined.
In response to a severe epidemic, CARE developed a community-based vector control program in Tambura County in collaboration with Medical Emergency Relief International (MERLIN) in 1998. The program is fully integrated into the Tambura County Primary Health Care system. The public health staff from the County Health Office, primary health care services, and village health committees were trained and used to implement and supervise this ongoing community-based program. High prevalence villages in Ezo and Source Yubu payams, the epicenter of the epidemic, were targeted. Almost 400 personnel were trained in vector recognition and trap maintenance. The traps were placed near community water sources, and volunteer trap monitors reported monthly to the community health office about the trap conditions and the number of flies trapped. An 80% reduction in trapped flies was observed within 3 months of trap placement and subsequently remained low. Community ownership of the vector control program enhanced active participation in all aspects of sleeping sickness control, including case identification, treatment, and follow-up. The rationale behind the vector control program integration, the process, achievements, and the challenges ahead will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.