Research Articles
Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among schoolchildren attending four selected schools in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka
Authors:
S Gunawardena ,
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, LK
H Gunatilleke,
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, LK
M Ismail
159, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, LK
Abstract
Enterobiasis is one of the commonest human parasitic infections in the world. Diagnosis of enterobiasis is by demonstration of eggs or adult worms by sampling the perianal and perineal skin using adhesive cellulose tape (scotch tape). This study determined the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infection among 483 schoolchildren attending four selected schools in the Hambantota district. The prevalence of infection was 6.2% (n=30). Since pinworm infection is a family infection, the implications are that at least 30 families are infected. Further studies are needed to understand the prevalence, distribution and the physical and psychological impact of pinworm infection in the population.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v3i2.5467
Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2013; Vol.3(2):17-20
How to Cite:
Gunawardena, S., Gunatilleke, H. and Ismail, M., 2013. Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among schoolchildren attending four selected schools in the Hambantota district of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases, 3(2), pp.17–20. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v3i2.5467
Published on
14 Aug 2013.
Peer Reviewed
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