Korean J Parasitol.  2013 Feb;51(1):139-142. 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.1.139.

Environmental Factors Related to Enterobiasis in a Southeast Region of Korea

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea.
  • 2Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan 626-870, Korea. hsyu@pusan.ac.kr

Abstract

Pinworm infection can occur through contact with contaminated surfaces followed by ingestion or even through inhalation of infective eggs. We have limited information regarding environmental contamination by eggs of Enterobius vermicularis. In order to determine environmental risk factors associated with the rate of E. vermicularis infection, we investigated possible environmental risk factors using a questionnaire from 46 kindergartens in 3 different cities of the southeast area of Korea. In total, using the cellotape anal swab technique, 3,422 children were examined for E. vermicularis infection. We evaluated E. vermicularis egg of books, educational materials, toys, room door handles, dusts of window edges, desks, chairs, tables, and dusts of classrooms. The overall egg-positive rate for E. vermicularis was 6.0%, and the prevalence of enterobiasis in each kindergarten ranged between 0% and 16.9%. We found that 78.9% of egg positive kindergartens were managed by private foundations, which was significantly higher, compared with kindergartens managed by public foundations or the nation. Compared with public or national kindergartens, most private kindergartens were located in residential areas and the number of children in these areas was significantly higher. In conclusion, numbers of children in kindergartens was found to be an environmental risk factor associated with transmission of enterobiasis in Korea.

Keyword

Enterobius vermicularis; environment; risk factor; kindergarten

MeSH Terms

Animals
*Child Day Care Centers
Child, Preschool
Enterobiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology
Enterobius/*isolation & purification
*Environmental Exposure
Female
Humans
Korea/epidemiology
Male
Questionnaires
Risk Assessment
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