Abstract:

Objective To understand the current status of Enterobius vermicularis infection among children in Nanjing area for evidences to formulate and modify corresponding prevention and control measures. Methods By clustered random sampling method, we randomly selected one kindergarten from each of the 12 districts of Nanjing City, and all children, together with the homeroom teachers and the parents in the 12 kindergartens underwent survey between September and October 2022. Cellophane tape and anal swabs were used to detect Enterobius vermicularis infection, and questionnaire survey was conducted on the knowledge and symptoms of Enterobius vermicularis infection in the teachers and the parents. Results In total, 2 348 children were surveyed. The infection rate of pinworms was 1.32% (31/2 348), 1.38% (17/1 235) for boys and 1.26% (14/1 113) for girls, respectively. The difference was insignificant between boys and girls (χ²=0.063, P>0.05), yet the infection rate showed a trend of increasing with age among children of different ages (χ²_rend=8.472, P<0.05). Children in public kindergartens had a lower infection rate (0.95%, 15/1 575) than those in private kindergartens (2.07%, 16/773) (χ²=4.970, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the infection rates between kindergartens located in urban areas (1.48%, 20/1 352) and rural areas (1.10%, 11/996) (χ²=0.619, P>0.05). The qualified rate of knowledge about enterobiasis among teachers and parents was 92.65% (63/68) and 84.29% (1 889/2 241), and the qualified rate of symptom awareness was 92.65% (63/68) and 87.55% (1 962/2 241), respectively. Both had no significant difference (χ²=3.524, 1.589, both P>0.05). The qualified rates of knowledge and symptom awareness was 97.87% (46/47) and 100.00% (47/47) for public kindergarten teachers, 80.95% (17/21) and 76.19% (16/21) for private kindergarten teachers, respectively. The qualified rates of knowledge and symptom awareness among parents of public kindergarten students was 86.10% (1 301/1 511) and 89.28% (1 349/1 511), while that among private kindergarten parents was 80.55% (588/730) and 83.97% (613/730), respectively. The qualified rates of above-mentioned items in public kindergarten were higher than those in private kindergarten (χ²=3.869, 8.836, 11.467, 12.713, all P<0.05). Conclusion The infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis appears relatively higher, and the qualified rates of knowledge and symptom awareness of Enterobius vermicularis infection are lower in the teachers and parents in private kindergartens in Nanjing area. The findings suggest that targeted surveillance and health education should be carried out to effectively reduce the pinworm infection rate.

Key words: Enterobius vermicularis, Infection rate, Kindergarten, Nanjing City