Development and Piloting of Ascariasis Surveillance System of Children in Sri Lanka

Introduction Ascariasis is one of the most common intestinal nematode infections caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, especially in the tropics and subtropics where warm, wet climates favor year-round transmission of infection(1). Humans become infected by ingesting infective ascaris eggs in contaminated food, water or from hands that have become faecally contaminated and can cause reduced physical fitness, growth retardation, and respiratory and gastrointestinal problems(2). The highest morbidity is found in children, especially in those with a high worm burden(3). To identify high risk areas for intervention, it is necessary to understand the effects of climatic, environmental and socio-demographic conditions on A. lumbricoides infection(4). In Sri Lanka, although ascariasis was the commonest intestinal parasitic infection among children, information about associated factors and current health impact is insufficient. Therefore, this study was designed to develop and pilot an Ascariasis surveillance system among children in Sri Lanka.