Enterobiosis in Sivas, Turkey from past to present, effects on primary school children and potential risk factors.

Abstract

The prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis and potential risk factors was investigated in 2,230 pupils in Sivas between November 2006 and June 2008. A total of ten primary schools in different regions (4 located in City center, 4 in districts and 2 in villages) were classified as Region 1, Region 2 and Region 3, respectively and children completed a questionnaire about the potential risk factors. The overall egg positivity rate for E. vermicularis was 8.2% in Region 1, and the prevalence in the other regions was 7.0% and 14.8%, respectively. Children, aged 10-14 years, didn't show a significantly higher egg positivity rate than younger children (chi(2): 0.10, p > 0.05) and the infection rate for boys was not statistically different than girls (chi(2):0.40, p > 0.05). The socio-economic status of the family and personal hygiene were found to be associated with enterobiosis, (chi(2):30.83, p < 0.05). Furthermore, it was found that there was a statistically important relation between parasite occurrence and school success (chi(2):39.52, p < 0.05).But there is no difference between the parasitic and non-parasitic groups in terms of weight and height (t: 1.75, p > 0.05, t: 1.43, p > 0.05; respectively). The frequency of enterobiosis is obviously decreased in our region when the previous studies are considered.