Enterobius vermicularis infection is well controlled among preschool children in nurseries of Taipei City, Taiwan.

INTRODUCTION

Whether Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infections among preschool children in Taipei City had truly declined was investigated.

METHODS

A total of 6,661 preschool children from 28 nurseries were randomly selected from 4 major geographic districts in Taipei City to examine the status of pinworm infection by using adhesive thin cellophane tape swab method.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of pinworm infection was 0.5% (30/6,661). Boys (0.6%; 21/3,524) had higher prevalence than girls (0.3%; 9/3,137) (p=0.06). Southern district (0.6%; 10/1,789) showed insignificantly higher prevalence than Western district (0.2%; 1/606) (p=0.22).

CONCLUSIONS

Pinworm screening program remains necessary for some parts of Taipei City.