ABSTRACT

In our country, parasitic diseases in children and in particular, those caused by Enterobius vermicularis are wide-spread and are an important health problem. The level of education, nutrition, customs, and social-economic, medical-social and living standards as well as the climate and sanitary facilities play an important role in the incidence and prevalence of intestinal parasites. The aim of this descriptive and cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of the social-demographic characteristics and habits of hygiene of primary school children on the presence of Enterobius vermicularis. The subjects of this research were children with a low social-economic level in the governmental primary school found in the province of Karaman. With the aid of a sampling method, the samples were taken from 5 classes out of the l5 classes found in the school. These 5 classes represented each of the 5 grades. From April- June 2002, a suitable questionnaire along with the application of the cellophane tape method was used in obtaining information from the selected students. Of the students included in the study, 45.9% were boys and 54.1%, girls. Of the families of the students, 70.6% earned the standard minimum wage and below and 19.7% were in a medium economic level. Enterobius vermicularis was found in 76.2% of the students. This study shows that the presence of Enterobius vermicularis in primary school children is still an important health problem.

Keywords: Enterobius vermicularis, prevalence, hygiene, social-demographic characteristics