PIP: Asian experiences show that programs for the control of intestinal parasites have been able to stimulate village level interest in environmental sanitation as evidenced by increased demand for latrines. Mass parasite control can have a positive impact on the sociocultural and program design constraints of traditional sanitation projects. In the Integrated Family Planning and Parasite Control Project, the psychological impact on treated individuals, plus the improved sense of well-being and strengthened interest in health care which often follow, had 2 results. First, the feeling of appreciation and trust by the people towards the workers who provide the medicine, thus enhancing worker credibility. Secondly, if the deworming is carried out on a communitywide basis accompanied by concrete health education on parasite life cycles, the individual impact will be broadened and strengthened to the point where the people, or at least their leaders, will want to get rid of the worms in their environment. This requires organized and sustained community action for parasite control, environmental sanitation and family hygiene. Basic operating principles consist of 3 elements: the institutional framework; community involvement; and recruitment and training of staff. It is best to begin a program on a pilot basis perhaps in rural localities of greatest concern to sanitarians. Success depends on whether a cooperative relationship has been established among steering committees and the people. Field workers promote and deliver services, link the village's interests with those of the project and its related programs, and provide technical and logistical support to the community effort to organize itself to implement and institutionalize these programs. Medical workers use the Kato Method and Kato Katz Method in determining parasitic infection. The Kato Method reveals only the presence or absence of worms, and is easy to do in a field situation; the Kato Katz Method can also measure worm density. Baseline community surveys are important for information management. 2 basic components of a parasite control program are stool examination and provision of antihelmintics. The choice of which combination of examination and treatment is best for a given program depends on the budget, parasite prevalence, and desired health education impact. Health education begins with the baseline community surveys, where the general dialogue between project and community people can first develop. Specific health education is needed to promote personal and environmental hygiene. Messages can be disseminated to the people by the use of mass media, print materials, and through discussions. These pilot projects have a snowball approach--where a limited set of activities leads to greater expansion.