title: Transmission of Enterobius vermicularis eggs through hands of school children in rural South Africa.
abstract: Enterobius vermicularis is a helminth that is difficult to control, is found globally, especially in crowded conditions, and can be transmitted from person to person by contaminated hands. A newly developed method for the quantification of helminth eggs on hands was tested among schoolchildren in a rural South African region to look at the role hands play in helminth infection, and to determine the risk factors for hand contamination. The study found 16.6% of participants' hands positive for helminth eggs, with E. vermicularis most commonly identified. Egg concentrations on hands ranged from 0 to 57 eggs/2 hands. Gender, toilet type used at home, and not reporting to wash hands with soap before eating were all associated with the presence of eggs on hands. The study highlights the need to improve sanitation facilities, and promote handwashing with soap in schools to prevent transmission of E. vermicularis.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK. Electronic address: mollycranston@hotmail.co.uk.
authors.forename: Imogen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cranston
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, 0950, South Africa.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Potgieter
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, 0950, South Africa.
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathebula
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
authors.forename: Jeroen H J
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ensink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017229:Enterobiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004757:Enterobius / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000469:parasitology*; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Enterobius vermicularis; Hands; Hygiene; South Africa