Soil-transmitted helminth infection, skin infection, anaemia, and growth retardation in schoolchildren of Taveuni Island, Fiji.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of hookworm, ascaris, and trichuris infection; as well as anaemia, growth retardation, scabies, and impetigo; in schoolchildren of Taveuni Island, Fiji.

Methods: Schoolchildren from five villages on Taveuni Island were examined and had their haemoglobin concentration measured on a finger-prick blood sample. In addition, they had a faecal sample examined for the presence of helminth ova.