A longitudinal study of enterobiasis in three day care centers of Havana City.

Abstract

Pinworm infection was prospectively studied during one year in 469 children attending three day care centers. Each child was examined at six months intervals using up to three perianal swabs with adhesive tape. Those found infected were treated with mebendazole. At the beginning of the study we found a prevalence of 28% that dropped to 13% and 12% in the following study periods. The reinfection rate was twice the incidence rate in both study periods. We also found a small percentage (10%) of the children reinfected in most or all study periods. There was a high correlation between reinfection and perianal itching. Our results add further knowledge to the epidemiology of intestinal parasites in day care centers.

• Authors: F A Núñez, M Hernández, C M Finlay
• Journal: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo (Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo) 1996 Mar-Apr Vol. 38 Issue 2 Pg. 129-32 ISSN: 0036-4665 [Print] Brazil
• PMID: 9071032 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Anal Canal (parasitology)
• Child Day Care Centers
• Child, Preschool
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Cuba (epidemiology)
• Enterobiasis (drug therapy, epidemiology, parasitology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infant
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Prospective Studies