Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection and identify factors associated with enterobiasis among preschool children attending Cu Sue Preschool, Cu M'gar District, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 preschool children enrolled at Cu Sue Preschool between January and October 2021. Enterobius vermicularis infection was diagnosed using the Graham adhesive tape technique. Caregivers were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire to obtain information on sociodemographic characteristics and their knowledge and practices related to the prevention of enterobiasis. Data were analyzed using Stata version 10.0. Associations between potential risk factors and enterobiasis were assessed using Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05.
Results: The overall prevalence of E. vermicularis infection was 19.9% (78/392). Enterobiasis was significantly associated with several child hygiene behaviors, including mouthing toys, finger-sucking, and failure to wash hands before meals, after defecation, and after playing. Significant caregiver-related factors included failure to clean the child's perianal region in the morning, infrequent cleaning of toys, and irregular fingernail trimming. Furthermore, inadequate caregiver knowledge regarding the transmission, health consequences, and prevention of E. vermicularis infection was significantly associated with infection among preschool children (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The prevalence of E. vermicularis infection among preschool children at Cu Sue Preschool remained substantial. Poor personal hygiene practices among children and inadequate caregiver hygiene practices were identified as the principal factors associated with infection. Targeted health education interventions, improved personal and environmental hygiene, and routine deworming programs should be strengthened to reduce the burden of enterobiasis among preschool children in this setting.