Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis and Its Risk Factors Among Pre-School Children in A Resettlement Area

This study determined the prevalence of pinworm infection in Resettlement Phase-3 Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan Cagayan de Oro City among preschool children ages 4 to 6 years old and its associated risk factors. The study utilized a total of seventy-five (75) respondents using the Scotch Tape Method and conducted a sample collection for three (3) consecutive days between 4 to 7 am and examined the specimens in the MLS Laboratory at Liceo de Cagayan University. The results of the study revealed that out of the seventy-five (75) respondents, 37 (49.33%) are positive for pinworm infection which indicates a high prevalence. Based on the data gathered, the high prevalence of the infection can be attributed primarily to the children’s sanitary practices and the parents level of awareness, wherein 40.54% do not practice regular trimming of nails, and 35.14% do not have an annual deworming. In terms of the parents level of awareness, 48.65% of the parents have no prior knowledge regarding pinworm infection and 64.86% is unaware on the infectivity of Enterobius vermicularis. Results also showed that there is a significant relationship between the bathing practices, changing of bed linens, annual deworming and the parents awareness on the infectivity of pinworms in the presence or absence of pinworm infection. On the other hand, washing of hands, regular trimming of nails, and parents’ prior knowledge regarding pinworm infection resulted to a lack of sufficient evidence. Thus, these risk factors have no significant relationship to the prevalence of pinworm infection.

Keywords: Pinworm infection, prevalence, risk factors, sanitation