Enterobiasis among schoolchildren in Macao.

The prevalence of enterobiasis was investigated among 2,195 children in kindergarten and grade one of 12 Macao Catholic schools by a single modified Scotch tape swab. The overall infection rate was 31.5%; it ranged from 15.2% to 63.3% among schools and was higher in grade one. The prevalence was independent of sex but increased with age to a peak at 7 years; it was higher among children of lower social class and those born in Mainland China. The infection was more prevalent in the poor and congested parts of the city. The educational level of parents was a critical factor in the eradication of enterobiasis. The prevalence rate was not associated with the employment status of mother, family size, and sibling size.