Epidemiology of Enterobius vermicularis infection among elementary school children in Hualien, Taiwan from 2007 to 2012
- Author:
Wang, K.M.
;
Lin, T.Y.
;
Chang, K.C.
;
Shieh, M.J.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2017;34(1):143-149
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Enterobius vermicularis is the most common human intestinal parasite, and its
control among school children is an important public health issue. The objective of this study
was to document the present situation of E. vermicularis infection in school children in
Hualien. The administrative divisions in Hualien county include 13 districts (3 in a mountainous
area, 10 in a rural/urban area). Between 2007 and 2012, a total of 41,191 children in 13
districts in Hualien were examined using consecutive 2-day adhesive cellophane paper perianal
swabs. Our results showed Enterobius egg-positive infection rates of 5.79% (452/7,089) in
2007, 6.25% (457/7,312) in 2008, 5.37% (385/7,173) in 2009, 4.98% (330/6,804) in 2010, 4.91%
(301/6,133) in 2011, and 4.68% (279/5,960) in 2012. Compared to the previously reported
national average in Taiwan (range, 1.53–2.23%), the prevalence of E. vermicularis in Hualien
is relatively high. The infection rates were 7.55–29.10% in mountainous areas and 0.50–
12.43% in rural/urban areas. All first and fourth grade students in elementary schools in
Hualien were selected as study participants. The average infection rate of the first grade
students (6.71%) was higher than that of the fourth grade students (4.23%). These results
indicate that enterobiasis remains an important parasitic disease among school children in
Hualien, especially those in mountainous areas.
- Full text:P020170529485556996288.pdf
