Abstract:

【Abstract】 Objective  To investigate the status of Enterobius vermicularis infection and its influencing factors in preschool children living in Wuhu City in order to supply scientific evidence with prevention of this infection. Methods  Cellophane anal swab was applied to collect the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis from pre-school children in regular manner. And a questionnaire, with regard to the primary information of families, hygiene habits and school environments, was conducted in the subjects. Results  Totally, the infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis was 7.42%. Single factor analysis showed higher infection rate in preschool children living in rural areas, aged 5 to 6 years old, raised by grandpa or grandma, with occasional hand washing before meals or after toilet, with low family income, change of the sheets less than once a week and use of the drugs against pinworms at no time. Unconditional logistic regression analysis on the multiple factors revealed that the risks for infection in preschoolers with Enterobius vermicularis were primarily associated with ages(5~6 years), life in rural areas and absence of practicing hand washing before meals or after toilet. Conclusion  Higher infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis was found in preschool children living rural areas of Wuhu than their urban counterparts. This indicates that control efforts should be applied to the preschooler in rural villages, aged from 5 to 6 years, and with poorer hygiene habits.

Key words: Enterobiasis, Prevalence study, Risk factors, Preschool Children