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It has come to an end, but before we end, it lets talk about one last thing about Enterobius Vermicularis. In this article, Chen and other researchers are conducting a study to determine the current status of Enterobius vermicularis infection of pre-school children in Taipei, Taiwan along with the associated risk factors with this pinworm infection.

There are some keywords listed by the authors which include the following: 

• Enterobius vermicularis infection: Also known as pinworm infection that is spread through the finger oral route and inhalation. 
• Risk Factors: Factors that can cause humans to be infected with pinworms. Examples include bed sharing, carpet, siblings, and level of education by parents
• Pre-school children: The participants in the study 
• Taipei: The study was conducted in Taipei, Taiwan

The authors believe that a positive rate of Enterobius vermicularis is no longer common in many parts of the world and past studies suggest that the pinworm infection among school children has reduced in Taiwan due to the Taiwanese knowing the risk factors from previous studies and eliminating the chances of being infected with Enterobius vermicularis. 

The study was conducted over two years that included over 45,000 pre-school participants in Taipei. The study included teachers and kitchen staff in the school that the pre-schoolers attended. To collect a sample, two- consecutive-day adhesive cellophane perianal swab kit was given in the morning to the participants. The collected specimens were examined under the microscope for pinworm eggs or worm. A questionnaire was also given to parents to gather information about the family background, personal hygiene, and household sanitary conditions.  

The results show that out of the 45,014 participants, 94 individuals were found to be infected with the pinworm infection. Data indicate that the positive rate of infection was slightly higher in boys than girls. In family, parents of the children that had a lower educational level and have an older sibling(s) had a significantly higher positive rate of the pinworm infection. The study reveals personal hygienic factors that include washing hand habits, finger sucking, long fingernails, and bathing habits did not have any connection to the pinworm infection. Of the personal hygienic factors, participants taking a bath by themselves, bed with matting, and not washing hands after using the restroom,  have a high positive rate. The results of the teacher and kitchen staff were all negative for pinworm infection. Also, there are no associations between the style of residence, type of floor, cleaning the house and the bedding, and sharing a bedroom with other family members. 

The study indicates that 0.21% of 44,163 pre-school participants were infected with pinworm which is lower than 0.40% in 2007. The results show that there were no significant differences by gender and school, but the rates in boys and kindergartens were slightly higher. The gender difference can be explained by girls have better personal hygienic practices to prevent contracting pinworms than boys. In the beginning, there were a list of possible risk factors that were tested to see if they are risk factors. The study demonstrates the following features are risk factors: 

• Finger- oral route 
• Having a(n) elder sister(s) or brother(s)
• Bathing without the help of family members 
• Not washing hands after restrooms 
• Sleeping on a bed with matting 

Since finger- oral route is the main mode of transmission, the article mention that practicing good handwashing habits is the best way to prevent contracting and spreading the infection.

The findings (risk factors) in this study can be applied to other countries to lower the positive rate of Enterobius vermicularis infection. In developing countries that are crowded and undeveloped economically, the knowledge of the above risk factor can help in decreasing the positive rate of the pinworm infection since several studies from the previous year have similar statistics to the corresponding risk factors. The finding of the study is not unusual. Finger-oral transmission is the main mode of transmission because pinworm eggs can be stuck under the fingernails if the individuals do not wash their hands frequently after using the restrooms. Young children are not able to take care of themselves as adults can so allowing small kids to be able to bathe and clean themselves without the help of adults is not a surprising risk factor. 

You can read more about the study by clicking the link below:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118217301172

Journal Article: Enterobius vermicularis infection and its risk factors among pre-school children in Taipei, Taiwan 

Authors: Kuang- Yao Chen, Chuan- Min Yen, Kao-Hwang, Lian Chen Wang

Journal and Page Numbers: Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection Volume 51, Issue 4 Pages 559-564