Recent Patterns of Enterobius vermicularis Infections among Preschool Children in Daegu, Korea

Abstract

From March 5 to April 30 in 2004, 1,021 children were examined for Enterobius vermicularis in the vicinity of Daegu area, Korea. A modification of the Graham’s scotch tape swab technique was employed. All were examined once in the morning. The overall infection rate was found to be 3.5% (36 out of 1, 021). There was no significant gender difference in the rate. The infection was first detected in 3 year old group with an average of 2.9%. The rate of infection among children in Northern district was 4.6% and 2.3$ among children in Eastern district. The difference in the rate of infection among children was not significant between the districts in Daegu city. It is clear from the present survey that the rate of Enterobius infection among the preschool children in Daegu city is lower than that found in the previous reports of enterobiasis in Korea.