The effect of the availability of latrines on soil-transmitted nematode infections in the plantation sector in Sri Lanka.
The relationship of soil-transmitted nematode infections to the availability of latrines was studied among 1,614 children 3-12 years of age living on plantations in Sri Lanka. The majority (89.7%) of the children had at least one type of soil-transmitted nematode. There was a significantly lower mean count of hookworm eggs for children coming from plantations with good sanitary facilities. For Ascaris and Trichuris, a similar association was observed between the mean egg count and the availability of latrines for children from the low-country plantations, where people live in more scattered settlements, but not in the up-country area, where worker settlements are larger and more crowded. Congested living conditions in themselves consequently seem to be a major determinant for ascariasis and trichuriasis, and the provision of latrines and safe water does not substantially change that situation. However, improvements of sanitary facilities will probably have a more immediate effect on the prevalence of hookworm infection.
Sorensen
E
E
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Ismail
M
M
Amarasinghe
D K
DK
Hettiarachchi
I
I
Dassenaieke
T S
TS
D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D009332:Necatoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D012987:Soil; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission
D012987:Soil