Enterobiasis and its risk factors in urban, rural and indigenous children of subtropical Argentina

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey to assess the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection and its associated factors among the child population of infant, preschool and school age in the urban, rural and indigenous population of Iguazú city, in subtropical Argentina was presented. Additionally, the status of enterobiasis at country level was reviewed and analysed. Enterobius vermicularis presence was assessed employing an oviscopic serial sampling technique. Statistical analysis of socio-demographic determinants was performed by generalized linear mixed models at individual, household and community levels. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were used to gather national information about E. vermicularis prevalence spanning the decade 2010–2020. A total of 916 children from 470 families participated. Overall prevalence was 29.8%, with 25.3, 30.7 and 34.2% detected for children inhabiting urban, rural and indigenous villages, respectively. The multi-level analysis showed that the presence of E. vermicularis was mostly determined by individual (e.g. age, playing habits, previous pinworm infection) and household-level factors (e.g. family size, overcrowding conditions). Interestingly, WASH variables, such as waste disposal, analysed at community level were also important. Data were analysed to provide eco-epidemiological features of enterobiasis in a heterogeneous subtropical child population in the same territory but with different socio-sanitary realities. The importance of promoting multi-level actions against the determinants identified, to control this public health problem integratively was evidenced. The scoping review of national data updated the state of knowledge of this parasitosis, identifying risk determinants and gaps in knowledge at country level.

Positive rates for Enterobius vermicularis eggs among preschool children in Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, Korea (2017-2021)

“…Moreover, in 2017, children in the 5–7 year age group exhibited a 1.5 times higher probability of being infected with E. vermicularis than those in the 0–4 year age group, and this probability increased to 3 times in 2021 ( P <0.05; Table 2 ). This finding is consistent with previous studies, which have also observed a higher risk of pinworm infection in children in the 5–7 year age group than in younger children, possibly due to more frequent exposure to contaminated environments [ 12 – 15 ].…”

Management and Incidence of Enterobius vermicularis Infestation in Appendectomy Specimens: A Cross-Sectional Study of 6359 Appendectomies

“…In the Gaza Strip, Hamdona et al detected Enterobius vermicularis in 30 (15%) of 200 appendixes on histopathologic examination [ 37 ]. In the last decade, several studies conducted worldwide have shown that the infection rate with Enterobius vermicularis in children is around 20% [ 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Rates of up to 38% have been documented in Sri Lanka [ 41 ] and as low as 0.21% in Taiwan [ 42 ].…”

Enterobius vermicularis Related Acute Appendicitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Prevalence studies conducted throughout the world in the past decade have shown the rate of E. vermicularis infection in children to be around 20% [ 4 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]. Rates have been noted as high as 38% in children 5–7 years old in Sri Lanka in 2013 [ 12 ], and as low as 0.21% in Taiwan following a 15-year reduction project [ 13 ], with 18% noted in a cohort of otherwise healthy Norwegian children [ 14 ], and 20% of American children who are said to have had at least one infection during their childhoods, respectively [ 6 ].…”