The effect of deworming and iron supplementation on the learning ability of school children in the plantation sector of Sri Lanka

The impact of school-based de-worming and iron supplementation on the cognitive abilities of school children in the plantation sector of Sri Lanka

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

SLCTR

Registry ID

SLCTR/2009/009

Enrollment

2000

Registered

2009-09-18

Start date

2009-09-14

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-08-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Soil-transmitted helminth infections, iron deficiency anaemia, cognitive ability

Interventions

Children in the treatment schools will be given an anthelmintic (mebendazole 500 mg stat) and weekly iron supplements (300 mg ferrous sulphate tablets) during the 2 school terms between the baseline a

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Estate schools with >60 and <400 children. 2. Children attending Grade 4 in the selected schools

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Children with Hb level < 7.0 g/L

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Prevalence of anaemia (Hb<11.0 g/L) [6-months follow-up survey ]	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections 2. Mean Hb concentration 3. Sustained attention 4. Educational achievement [6-months follow-up survey ]	—

Countries

Sri Lanka

Contacts

Public ContactNilanthi de Silva

Professor of Parasitology

nrdes@sltnet.lk2961143

Outcome results

None listed

Source: SLCTR (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Aug 9, 2026