[Survey of Enterobius vermicularis infection among school children in Tainan City]

Gaoxiong Yi Xue Ke Xue Za Zhi. 1990 Nov;6(11):587-93.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

A survey was conducted for enterobiasis, in six primary schools at Tainan city. The survey was conducted in 1986, involving 8,120 school children. The manner of testing, was two consecutive day, adhesive cellophane paper perianal swabs. The test resulted in general infection rate of 30.4%. The positive rates among those primary school children were significantly different (chi 2-test, p less than 0.001). The highest rate (40.3%), was in Shih-Men primary school and the lowest rate (18.7%) in Pao-Jeng primary school. Gender occurrence of enterobiasis was determined by making a statistic analysis between sex. We found significantly higher occurrence in males (32.4%) as opposed to females (28.3%) (chi 2-test, p less than 0.001). The infection rates were also significantly different by grade (chi 2-test, p less than 0.001). The highest rate was found in the lower grades (35.3%), the next in the middle grades (32.4%), and the lowest in the higher grades (21.6%). A questionnaire demonstrated that the family status and personal hygiene are the most important factors in transmission of pinworm infection, among the group surveyed. Moreover, the educational levels, occupations of parents, and facilities of bathrooms, (between both primary schools) were also found significantly associated with the transmission of pinworm infection. Therefore, we believe that these factors play a role in transmission of pinworm infection among school children.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Enterobius*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hygiene
  • Male
  • Oxyuriasis / epidemiology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Taiwan / epidemiology