Progress towards the eradication of dracunculiasis.

In 1980 the World Health Organization instituted the Decade of Safe Water and Sanitation. As part of that initiative new impetus was given to programmes which dealt with the eradication of dracunculiasis. This paper, based on the review of several studies, discusses the nature of the disease, its impact upon the affected population, the possible solutions, and the progress accomplished thus far in several African nations. The use of health education is advocated as a major contributor towards the eradication of dracunculiasis.