GEOGRAPHICAL Information System Spatial Mapping of Enterobius vermicularis among Children in Kidapawan CITY

Abstract

Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is a cosmopolitan infection. School children living in crowded environments are the most commonly infected group, with hygiene and exposure being essential factors. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of E. vermicularis among children in Kidapawan City, Philippines, and explore its associations with socio-demographic factors and hygiene practices with its geographical distribution using spatial mapping. A total of 138 respondents were included in the study, and data were collected through the scotch tape technique and surveys and were analyzed using statistical methods, including the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The majority of infected children were boys (52.9%), aged 1 to 3 years (52.2%), and from households with five or fewer family members (55.8%). The result showed a 15.21 percent prevalence of E. vermicularis infection. The age of children (p=0.000) and the mother's education level (p=0.009) are significant socio-demographic factors; washing of hands before eating (p=0.001) and after using the toilet (p=0.006), bathing without family members (p=0.002), sharing a bed (p=0.001), and type of bed (p=0.042) are significant risk factors.