Gunawardena, N.K.Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.de Silva, N.R.2014-10-292014-10-292013The Ceylon Medical Journal. 2013; 58(3): 106-100009-0875 (Print)10.4038/cmj.v58i3.5039http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2240Indexed In MEDLINEOBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of enterobiasis among school children in Ragama Medical Officer of Health (MOH) region and the association between clinical features, potential risk factors and infection status. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: School based. Participants 260 school children aged 5-7 years, attending five state schools in the Ragama MOH region. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection as diagnosed using adhesive cellophane tapes on the perianal skin on 2 consecutive days. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of enterobiasis was 38%. The risk factors significant on a univariate analysis were male gender, maternal under-education, non-permanency of paternal employment, more household members, more siblings in a family, more persons sleeping with an index child and lack of recent deworming. On a multivariate model more household members, more children in a household, more persons sleeping with the index child, non-permanency of paternal employment and lack of recent deworming were significantly associated with infection. None of the clinical manifestations evaluated (peri-anal itching, insomnia, abdominal pain, and enuresis) showed a significant association with enterobiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Enterobiasis is highly prevalent among primary school children in Ragama.EnterobiasisPrevalenceCross-Sectional StudiesChildRisk FactorsArticleParasitology