Drinking water and chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

In Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, contaminated water is increasingly recognized as a key factor in chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu). This study reveals that local perceptions of water pollution, reinforced by media and research, have driven behavioral changes among villagers while also influencing government policies. The findings highlight how sociocultural narratives about water intersect with biomedical evidence to shape public health responses, reinforcing existing social hierarchies in the process.

de Silva, M. W. A. (2018). Drinking water and chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Anthropology & Medicine, 26(3), 311–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/13648470.2018.1446822