Intestinal parasites and the growth status of internally displaced children in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The growth status and intestinal parasitic infections among a group of children displaced by war in Sri Lanka was investigated. There was a high prevalence of growth retardation (wasting, stunting and underweight being 41 percent, 28percent and 69.9 percent, respectively) and intestinal parasitic infections (40.2 percent) among the study population. Provision of adequate food, purified drinking water, sanitation and broad-spectrum anthelmintics is recommended.