INVESTIGATION OF ENTEROBIUS VERMICULARIS INFECTION AND RELATED RISK FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN FROM A KINDERGARTEN IN SOUTHWEST CHINA

Abstract

Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infection is common among the children population.  Studies have not produced consistent results regarding the prevalence and risk factors of pinworm infection among preschool children.  A cross-sectional study was undertaken in December 2020 on the prevalence of pinworm infection in a kindergarten located in Qingxi, Sichuan Province, PR China, and to identify risk factors for infection.  An adhesive tape method was used to collect perianal pinworm egg specimens and a questionnaire was distributed to the parent/legal guardian of all children (n = 97) attending the kindergarten.  Eleven percent of the children were positive for pinworm infection.  Multivariate logistic regression analysis of replies to the questionnaire revealed girls (p-value = 0.033), being >54 months of age (p-value = 0.034) and having older sister(s) (p-value = 0.026) as risk factors for pinworm infection.  In conclusion, this strategy provided a feasible means to rapidly obtain data on pinworm infection prevalence and associated risk factors among kindergarten children, thereby enabling treatment of infected individuals and providing information to curtail transmission among siblings and other children attending the same kindergarten.