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Health Aspects of the Community Development Project, Rural Area, Turrialba, Costa Rica, 1948–51¹

The Turrialba, Costa Rica, Community Development Project was initiated in 1947 with studies of economic and social structure. 140 families were selected from the rural population for health and dietary studies during 1948–51. This sample included the major economic, leadership and geographical groups on a proportionate basis and was composed of 940 individuals. This group was also used in 1951 for detailed clinical, dental, fluoroscopic, parasitological and blood vitamin and protein studies. The major public health problems included dietary deficiency of vitamin A, riboflavin, calcium and animal protein; very high incidence of multiple intestinal parasitism; unsatisfactory drinking water, sanitary and bathing facilities; poor infant feeding practices and general ignorance of the basic principles of hygiene and nutrition.

The Turrialba Rural Community development study is being continued, and efforts are being made to improve the integration of all agencies concerned with the project; to secure increased participation of local people in program formulation; and to adapt or develop simple and economical methods of health education and service to reach the entire population. These measures are considered essential for the lasting success of national or international efforts to improve public health on a community or regional basis.

¹ The project was initiated by Julio O. Morales who supervised the collection and tabulation of the social, economic and agricultural data and Charles P. Loomis who helped in the design and execution of part of the sociological studies. They were assisted by Antonio Arce and Edwin Murillo. Marta Coll Camalez designed the health questionnaire and completed the initial collection and analysis of the data. The dietary surveys were designed and completed by Ana T. Blanco de Sariola and calculated by Margaret Moen Fiester.

The clinical studies were initiated by Dr. Nevin S. Scrimshaw and carried out by the following personnel under the direction of Dr. Oscar Vargas M., Director of Public Health of Costa Rica: Dr. Alfonso Salazar B., special nutritional examinations; Drs. Rodrigo Portocarrero and Rodolfo Vinocour, general physical examinations; Dr. Carlos Manuel Ortega P., dental studies; Dr. Lisfmaco Leiva and Dr. Juan Dávila R., fluoroscopic examinations; Carlos Brenes Zamora, parasitological examinations; Fernando Leal, hematology and serum protein determinations; Joaquín B. Soto, serological and liver function tests and a supporting group of nurses and social workers. Dr. Emilio Picón assisted in the clinical nutrition examinations. Roberto Sasso was in charge of statistical analysis. Preparation of the final data was aided by a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

Publication I-20 of the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama and No. 75 of the Inter-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences.

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