The soil-transmitted helminths in Sri Lanka: a review of the recent literature

Abstract

The major soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus have been recognized as endemic in Sri Lanka for over a century. Although prevalence rates have declined drastically over this period because of mass deworming programmes and improved housing, these infections are still found in high risk communities with poor access to sanitation. The available scientific literature published on STH infections in Sri Lanka from around the year 2000 onwards is reviewed here in three broad areas: prevalence of STH infections and factors affecting transmission, impact of control activities on prevalence and drug resistance, and the impact of STH infections on the health of infected individuals. In conclusion, an overview of the current control strategy adopted by the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka is presented.