Parasite elimination programs: at home and away
McCarthy, J.S.; Garrow, S.C.
Medical Journal of Australia 176(10): 456-457
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 12065005 Document Number: 551698
The correspondent comments on a recent editorial by J. S. McCarthy and S. C. Garrow (Parasite elimination programs: home and away. The Medical Journal of Australia (2002) 176:456-457) which argued for the need for a coordinated national approach to control intestinal parasitoses (protozoa and helminths) among aborigines in Australia based on targeted drug treatment, and highlights the inadequacy of such a programme to produce long term effects. The correspondent suggests that what is needed is a sustained improvement in living conditions (including nutrition, sanitation and personal hygiene) through effective public health education of these groups. A reply follows from Garrow and McCarthy.