Hajar Ziaei Hezarjaribi - Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran
Sakine Arab Firouzjaei - Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran
Seyedeh Fateme Ebrahimifard - Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran
Mahdi Fakhar - Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran
Fatemeh Abdollahi - Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari IR Iran
Ogholniaz Jorjani - Laboratory Science Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Islamic Azad University Khorasgan (Isfahan) Branch. Isfaha

Background: Enterobious vermicularis (E. vermicularis) is one the most common parasitic infection among children. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of enterobiasis among preschool children in Mazandaran province, northern Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross–sectional study, 653 preschool children were recruited via the cluster sampling method during April 2013 to Feb 2014. A questionnaire was administrated to parents by an interviewer and determined children’s socio-demographic characteristics, personal hygiene, and healthy behaviors. The Graham technique was applied for diagnosis. Data were analyzed using logistic regression model and chi-square test.Results: In a total of 653 examined subjects, the prevalence rate of E. vermicularis was 19.4%, among which 40.9% were male, and 59.1% were female. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of E. vermicularis were found in Neka (61.4%) and Tonekabon (1.6%) districts, respectively. A significant association was found between infection and residency, parental occupations, parental education, number of family members, changing underwear, sterilization of linen clothing, taking daily bath, boiling or ironing clothes.Conclusions: The high prevalence rate of E. vermicularis infection in this study proves the stability status of enterobiasis in this area, posing a risk for children there. Systematic control of infection in children is proposed.

Enterobious vermicularis, Epidemiology, Preschool children, IR Iran