Impact of the control of endemic treponemal diseases in Ghana on other diseases.

A program for control of yaws and yellow fever in the Republic of Ghana was initiated with the aims of reducing the sharp increase in the prevalence of yaws and preventing epidemics of yellow fever. In addition, the program included health education and mass immunization with single doses of measles, tetanus, and tuberculosis vaccines. An evaluation of the first three years of the program indicates that the multidisciplinary approach has benefited a large segment of the population, which previously has had little or no access to medical care. This control program has also had an impact on other diseases and conditions.