Water Treatment, Preventive Measures and the Chronic Kidney Disease in the Farming Community in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Whilst being accountable for an increasing trend in mortality and morbidity, Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) has become a severe burden in Sri Lanka. Even though there is no sound evidence to clarify the aetiology of CKDu, it will be worthwhile to seek out the possible measures to minimize the prevalence of the disease. Hence, this study was intended to examine the impact of water treatment and preventive measures on CKDu. Data were collected from the farming community who applies agrochemicals. Both a probit and a Logit regression were carried out to check whether there is any relationship between CKDu and related variables such as consumption of treated water and adopting safety precautions. Results reveal that age, being a male, using deep wells as a source of drinking water, and long term medication increases the probability of getting the disease while, both preventive measures and water treatment significantly reduce this probability. Therefore, ensuring an adequate supply of treated water, especially for the severely affected villages is vital. Furthermore, both government and non-government institutions should work responsibly to increase the awareness of CKDu and safety precautions, in order to save the future generation.

The incidence, prevalence and trends of Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Kidney Disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka: an analysis of 30,566 patients

“…This study also shows that the incidence has declined slightly in 2017 in both districts. A probable reason for this may be the steadily increasing provision of safe drinking water in the affected areas [20].…”

Assessment of management practices, awareness on safe use of pesticides and perception on integrated management of pests and diseases of chilli and tomato grown by small‐scale farmers in selected districts of Sri Lanka

“…The number of respondents selected from each district was based on the population of farming community involved with tomato or chilli cultivation during the season of study. A lower number of farmers (30) were selected from Kandy district because it was the pilot study and this study covered only one GN division as that division in Kandy district makes the largest contribution to the district's tomato production. Farmers cultivating chilli and those cultivating tomato were not included into the study groups from Kandy and Batticaloa districts, respectively, as they were not preferred crops in the two respective districts.…”

“…Furthermore, accumulation of heavy metals in waterways and drinking water and bioaccumulation have been reported 26–28 . Moreover, possible associations of cadmium, fluoride, arsenic and nitrate with serious health issues namely dental and skeletal fluorosis, chronic renal failure, oesophageal cancer and blue baby syndrome have been reported, particularly in agricultural communities in Sri Lanka 29–31 . It is notable that resistance to some of the major pesticides have been reported recently.…”

“…[26][27][28] Moreover, possible associations of cadmium, fluoride, arsenic and nitrate with serious health issues namely dental and skeletal fluorosis, chronic renal failure, oesophageal cancer and blue baby syndrome have been reported, particularly in agricultural communities in Sri Lanka. [29][30][31] It is notable that resistance to some of the major pesticides have been reported recently. For example, whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), a major pest of vegetable crops and a plant virus vector in Sri Lanka, exhibited high resistance to etofenprox (a pyrethroid), moderate-to-high resistance to neonicotinoids (e.g.…”

Compliance and adherence to drug treatment on patients with chronic kidney disease in high prevalence areas of North Central Province, Sri Lanka

“…10 Women and children are also suffering from CKD/CKDu, with over 1,100 CKD/CKDu patients in hospitals per month in Sri Lanka and 300 deaths recorded per year. 11 The disease progression causes increase in symptoms. Reduction of kidney function leads to fluid accumulation and causes high blood pressure and possible heart failure.…”