Enterobiasis and its relationship with anal itching and enuresis among school-age children in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of enterobiasis and its relationship with anal itching and enuresis were investigated among 799, randomly selected children aged 5-14 years, who lived, either in an area of high population density or one with a much lower population density, in Calabar, Nigeria. The eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were found in anal swabs (collected with transparent adhesive tape) from 60 (7.5%) of the subjects tested, with the prevalence of infection appearing markedly higher in the 403 children from the area with a high population density than in the 396 from the less densely populated area (11.7% v. 3.3%; P < 0.05). Questionnaire-based interviews were used to determine which of the children suffered from anal itching, enuresis or both. Compared with the egg-negative subjects, the 60 children who were egg-positive for Enterobius were found to be much more likely to be suffering from anal itching (78.3% v. 28.3%; P < 0.05) or enuresis (53.3% v. 36.4%; P < 0.05). Enterobiasis is therefore not a problem that is restricted to the temperate regions of the world, and may be a cause of enuresis or at least a contributory factor in the development of this complaint.

Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among schoolchildren attending four selected schools in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka

“…In Korea, several studies revealed prevalence rates of between 9.2% 4 and 18.5% 5 . In Nigeria, the prevalence of infection was found to be 7.5% 6 , while in Thailand it was 38.8% 7 and in Venezuela it was 19.1% 8 . However, very low prevalence rates of 0.62% and 0.0% were found in pre-school children in Taiwan 9 and in an urban area in Thailand.…”

The Relationship Between Enterobius Vermicularis Infection And Nocturnal Enuresis

“…It is known that intestinal parasites play an important role in the etiology of enuresis cases. It has been reported that enuresis was one of the shown symptoms in enterobiasis (7,8,13). In this study, we tried to determine the potential association between enuresis and Enterobius vermicularis in children.…”

“…In their study, compared with the egg-negative subjects, the 60 children who were egg-positive for Enterobius vermicularis were found to be much more likely to be suffering from enuresis (13). In one study, Kim et al (18), (1991) reported that the egg positivity rate of primary school children was 19.9% in Kangwondo province, especially 61.9% among orphan children and the egg positivity rate of different regions such as urban and rural areas was significantly different (18).…”

“…With regard to studies from other countries, Otu-Bassey et al (13), investigated the prevalence of enterobiasis and its relationship with enuresis among 799, randomly selected children aged 5-14 years. In their study, compared with the egg-negative subjects, the 60 children who were egg-positive for Enterobius vermicularis were found to be much more likely to be suffering from enuresis (13).…”

Have Worms Lost Their Luster?

“…A recent study from Nigeria highlights the difficulty in diagnosis and the unreliability of the diagnostic tests. (3) Patients with pinworm usually have little or no symptoms. While pruritis ani is the most common symptom, the vast majority of patients with pruritis ani do not have pinworm infection.…”