Journal of

 Background and Aim:There are a number of successful examples of hydatid cyst control, achieved on a national or regional scale in different countries. The earliest successful program was that in Iceland initiated nearly 143 years ago when cystic hydatid disease was recognized as affecting approximately one of every six Icelanders. With a continuous campaign, by the 1950_s hydatidosis was considered eradicated from Iceland. Prior to 1970, in Cyprus, hydatid cysts were routinely found in the lungs and livers of the majority of mature sheep, cattle, goats and pigs, and people believed that hydatid cysts were normal part of the anatomy of infected hosts. By performing a 15-year plan aiming to eradication of the disease, infection prevalence of dog and sheep reduced to zero and 0.11%, respectively and from 1981 to 1985, only a single case of human infection was diagnosed. Elimination of stray dogs was the key element in above remarkably successful program. During the first year of the campaign more than 18000 stray and ownerless dogs were killed.

Conclusion:In Xinjiang Province of China, a control program during 1990-1995 resulted in a dramatic decrease in the infection rate in dogs (from 14.8% down to zero) and sheep (from 73/8% down to 1.4%). In this control program, 16000 dogs and herdsman dogs were given the drug praziquantel for five years. There are also other successful examples of hydatid cyst control in Spain (La Rioja), Australia (Tasmania), Chile, and NewZealand.

Background and Aim: Regarding the importance of communicators' presence in health programs and the fact that in recent years, we have witnessed a decrease in their cooperation or a cut in their relationship with the headquarters. This qualitative study was performed to clarify communicators and instructors' administrative-recreational experiences in breaking off with the headquarters.

Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was carried out on 60 healthcare communicators, 20 ex- communicators and 35 instructors selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected using focus discussion groups and semi-structured interviews with the participants. For data analysis, qualitative content analysis was employed.

Results: The findings of data analysis revealed two main levels: recreational and administrative. The key themes of the former included medical facilities, gifts, employment, futurism and camp and of the latter consisted of credit resources, instructors' conditions, organizational posts and orientation.

Conclusion: Expressing what is expected from communicators when selecting them can play a significant role in keeping them up with their jobs. Holding meetings between authorities and communicators' representatives to discuss their problems and present solutions, holding reward ceremonies, preparing the grounds for attracting financial resources to support communicators' programs, appreciating them and enhancing the communicators and instructors' academic level, and creating organizational posts for instructors can be effective in maintaining their presence and enhancing health communicators' program.