Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands

The prevalence and risk factors of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infection among primary schoolchildren (PSC) in the Marshall Islands remain unknown; thus, investigation on the status of pinworm infection rate is necessary to establish baseline data. After parents’/guardians’ consent, a total of...

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Main Authors: Chia-Kwung Fan, Pasaikou Sonko, Yueh-Lun Lee, Ai-Wen Yin, Ting-Wu Chuang, Ramson Kios, Ying-Ting Wang, Chia-Mei Chou, Shao-Lun Hsu, Mai-Szu Wu, Jia-Wei Lin, Chia-Ying Tu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Journal of Tropical Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6273954
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author Chia-Kwung Fan
Pasaikou Sonko
Yueh-Lun Lee
Ai-Wen Yin
Ting-Wu Chuang
Ramson Kios
Ying-Ting Wang
Chia-Mei Chou
Shao-Lun Hsu
Mai-Szu Wu
Jia-Wei Lin
Chia-Ying Tu
author_facet Chia-Kwung Fan
Pasaikou Sonko
Yueh-Lun Lee
Ai-Wen Yin
Ting-Wu Chuang
Ramson Kios
Ying-Ting Wang
Chia-Mei Chou
Shao-Lun Hsu
Mai-Szu Wu
Jia-Wei Lin
Chia-Ying Tu
author_sort Chia-Kwung Fan
collection DOAJ
description The prevalence and risk factors of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infection among primary schoolchildren (PSC) in the Marshall Islands remain unknown; thus, investigation on the status of pinworm infection rate is necessary to establish baseline data. After parents’/guardians’ consent, a total of 346 children (179 boys and 167 girls) participated in this study. Individual’s perianal area and thumbs were inspected by using the Scotch tape technique and cellophane tape method, respectively. For each child, demographic and risk factor data were collected by a structured questionnaire and statistically analyzed. The overall prevalence of pinworm infection was 12.14% (42/346). Univariate analysis indicated significant differences in PSC who live in an urban area compared to those who live in the rural area p=0.01. Multivariate analysis still found that PSC who live in the rural area had higher chances to acquire pinworm infection. However, no risk factors were identified to be associated with personal hygiene, sibling number, and parent’s educational level or occupation. Nevertheless, a pinworm-like egg was detected on the thumb of one male participant. Children living in the rural area and thumb-sucking behavior are two of the important risk factors of transmitting pinworm infection in the PSC in the Marshall Islands. We suggested an urgent and continuous provision of adequate hygienic sensitization in the school and the community.
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spelling doaj-art-bf8b66fa048445f5af8e3022f4acb4302025-08-20T02:19:26ZengWileyJournal of Tropical Medicine1687-96861687-96942021-01-01202110.1155/2021/62739546273954Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall IslandsChia-Kwung Fan0Pasaikou Sonko1Yueh-Lun Lee2Ai-Wen Yin3Ting-Wu Chuang4Ramson Kios5Ying-Ting Wang6Chia-Mei Chou7Shao-Lun Hsu8Mai-Szu Wu9Jia-Wei Lin10Chia-Ying Tu11Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 110, TaiwanDepartment of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 110, TaiwanDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 110, TaiwanDepartment of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 110, TaiwanDepartment of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 110, TaiwanDepartment of Public Health, Ministry of Health, PO. Box 3885, Majuro, Mh96960, Marshall IslandsTaiwan Health Center in Majuro, Ministry of Health, PO. Box 3885, Majuro, Mh96960, Marshall IslandsDepartment of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 110, TaiwanDepartment of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 110, TaiwanSuperintendent Office, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho Hospital, No. 291, Zhongzheng Rd., Zhonghe District, New Taipei City 23561, TaiwanDepartment of International Medical Affairs, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho Hospital, No. 291, Zhongzheng Rd., Zhonghe District, New Taipei City 23561, TaiwanDepartment of International Medical Affairs, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho Hospital, No. 291, Zhongzheng Rd., Zhonghe District, New Taipei City 23561, TaiwanThe prevalence and risk factors of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infection among primary schoolchildren (PSC) in the Marshall Islands remain unknown; thus, investigation on the status of pinworm infection rate is necessary to establish baseline data. After parents’/guardians’ consent, a total of 346 children (179 boys and 167 girls) participated in this study. Individual’s perianal area and thumbs were inspected by using the Scotch tape technique and cellophane tape method, respectively. For each child, demographic and risk factor data were collected by a structured questionnaire and statistically analyzed. The overall prevalence of pinworm infection was 12.14% (42/346). Univariate analysis indicated significant differences in PSC who live in an urban area compared to those who live in the rural area p=0.01. Multivariate analysis still found that PSC who live in the rural area had higher chances to acquire pinworm infection. However, no risk factors were identified to be associated with personal hygiene, sibling number, and parent’s educational level or occupation. Nevertheless, a pinworm-like egg was detected on the thumb of one male participant. Children living in the rural area and thumb-sucking behavior are two of the important risk factors of transmitting pinworm infection in the PSC in the Marshall Islands. We suggested an urgent and continuous provision of adequate hygienic sensitization in the school and the community.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6273954
spellingShingle Chia-Kwung Fan
Pasaikou Sonko
Yueh-Lun Lee
Ai-Wen Yin
Ting-Wu Chuang
Ramson Kios
Ying-Ting Wang
Chia-Mei Chou
Shao-Lun Hsu
Mai-Szu Wu
Jia-Wei Lin
Chia-Ying Tu
Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands
Journal of Tropical Medicine
title Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands
title_full Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands
title_fullStr Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands
title_short Epidemiologic Study of Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Schoolchildren in the Republic of Marshall Islands
title_sort epidemiologic study of enterobius vermicularis infection among schoolchildren in the republic of marshall islands
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6273954
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