Control of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Seychelles: A Comprehensive and Sustainable Approach

Intestinal parasitic infections have been considered a major public health problem in Seychelles since 1925 and were the main reason for the first public health program in the country. The Seychelles Intestinal Parasite Control Program was launched in 1993 by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and with technical support from the World Health Organization. Integrated into the well-established primary health care system the program employs a successful comprehensive strategy to reduce morbidity and the transmission of intestinal parasites. Program control activities are handled through existing health facilities. The strategy is based upon the periodic chemotherapy of school children intense health education and improvement of sanitation and safe water supply. An overall 44% reduction in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was realized after 2 years of program activities while the intensity of infection with the most common parasite Trichuris trichiura was halved from 780 to 370 eggs per gram of feces. The future sustainability of control activities is encouraged by the programs integrated approach existing political commitment and limited operational costs. Seychelles program can be seen as a model for other developing countries.