Dataset Information

Enterobius vermicularis infection: prevalence and risk factors among preschool children in kindergarten in the capital area, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is one of the most common human parasitic helminths, and children are the most susceptible group. Some behavioral and environmental factors may facilitate pinworm infection. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the status of pinworm infections among children remains unknown.

Methods

In Majuro City, there are 14 kindergartens with a total of 635 preschool children (PSC) whose age range of 5~6?years. The present investigation attempted to determine the pinworm prevalence and associated risk factors as well as investigate whether eggs contaminated the clothes of PSC or the ground and tables in classrooms of 14 kindergartens. Informed consent form and a self-administered questionnaire were given to parents prior to pinworm screening. Perianal specimens were collected by an adhesive scotch tape method, and clothing of belly and hip sites and the ground and tables of the classrooms were inspected using a cellophane tape method to detect any eggs contamination.

Results

In total, 392 PSC (5.28?±?0.56?yrs. old) participated in this project. The overall prevalence of pinworm infection was 22.4% (88/392). Boys (24.5%) had higher prevalence than girls (20.31%) (p?=?0.32). PSC aged >?5?years (32.77%) showed a significantly higher prevalence than those aged ?5?years (17.95%) (p?=?0.01). A univariate analysis indicated that PSC who lived in urban areas (22.95%) had a higher prevalence than those who lived in rural areas (20.69%) (p?=?0.69). The employment status of the parents showed no association with the pinworm infection rate (p?>?0.05). A logistic regression analysis indicated that "having an older sister" produced a higher risk of acquiring pinworm infection for PSC compared to those who did not have an older sister (OR?=?2.02; 95%CI?=?1.05~3.88; p?=?0.04). No significant association between various other risk factors and pinworm infection was found (p?>?0.05). Also, no eggs contamination was found on the clothes of the belly and hip sites or on the ground and tables in the 14 kindergartens.

Conclusions

Mass screening and treatment of infected PSC are important measures in pinworm control in the RMI.

SUBMITTER: Fan CK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6580455 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Enterobius vermicularis infection: prevalence and risk factors among preschool children in kindergarten in the capital area, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Fan Chia-Kwung CK Chuang Ting-Wu TW Huang Ying-Chieh YC Yin Ai-Wen AW Chou Chia-Mei CM Hsu Yu-Ting YT Kios Ramson R Hsu Shao-Lun SL Wang Ying-Ting YT Wu Mai-Szu MS Lin Jia-Wei JW Briand Kennar K Tu Chia-Ying CY

BMC infectious diseases 20190618 1

<h4>Background</h4>Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is one of the most common human parasitic helminths, and children are the most susceptible group. Some behavioral and environmental factors may facilitate pinworm infection. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the status of pinworm infections among children remains unknown.<h4>Methods</h4>In Majuro City, there are 14 kindergartens with a total of 635 preschool children (PSC) whose age range of 5~6 years. The present investigation at ...[more]

PMID: 31215414

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundEnterobius vermicularis infection is an important public health problem worldwide, especially among schoolchildren in tropical and subtropical countries. The prevalence of E. vermicularis infections varies in each region of Thailand; however, its status remains unknown among children who live in rural areas of the southern region. This study aimed to evaluate the current prevalence of E. vermicularis infections and to identify the risk factors for infection among schoolchildren who live in rural communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Southern Thailand.ResultsThe overall prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 5.79% (23 of 397). According to a multivariate analysis, the following were found to be risk factors associated with E. vermicularis infections (P < 0.05): those of the male sex (AOR = 4.03, 95% CI 1.22-13.29), those in the 3-6 year age group (AOR = 4.85, 95% CI 1.51-15.59), those who have a mother with a primary school education level (AOR = 11.22, 95% CI 1.75-71.77), those who have older sibling(s) (AOR = 6.25, 95% CI 1.83-21.26), those who have younger sibling(s) (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI 2.00-19.44), those who sometimes wash their hands after using the toilet (AOR = 5.25, 95% CI 1.24-22.21), those who keep their fingernails long (AOR = 29.97, 95% CI 6.16-145.85), and those who suck their fingers (AOR = 3.59, 95% CI 1.21-10.66).ConclusionsThis was the first report that revealed the prevalence of E. vermicularis infections among children who live in rural areas of Southern Thailand through detection using the Scotch tape technique. This study demonstrated that the high prevalence of E. vermicularis infections in schoolchildren with siblings was a significant independent predictor and that the transmission of this infection may occur in the family through their school-age siblings. In addition, children who have poor personal hygiene have a high prevalence of E. vermicularis infections. Therefore, maintaining good handwashing habits, keeping one's fingernails short, and avoiding sucking one's fingers should be important preventive measures against infection. Moreover, health literacy or health education, especially for parents or the principal caretakers of children, should be implemented to reduce E. vermicularis infections.

Dataset Information

Enterobius vermicularis infection: prevalence and risk factors among preschool children in kindergarten in the capital area, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Enterobius vermicularis infection: prevalence and risk factors among preschool children in kindergarten in the capital area, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Similar Datasets

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