The effectiveness of design and construction materials in Chagas' disease vector control
Cedillos, R.A.
Revista Argentina de Microbiologia 20(1 Suppl): 53-57
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0325-7541 PMID: 3138734 Document Number: 308435
Examples are reviewed of the impact of house improvement compared with insecticide treatment on the proportions of houses which remain infested with triatomines for various periods of time, and on seroconversion of the inhabitants to Trypanosoma cruzi positivity. A discussion and table summarize the advantages and disadvantages of (1) replacing rudimentary, bug-infested houses with new houses constructed with cement bricks and metal roofs, as opposed to (2) merely making improvements with locally-available materials. The chief advantage of (2) is that it harnesses long-term community participation in primary health care activities of a kind within the reach of all.