Knowledge and Practice of Mothers About Pinworm Infestation and its Prevention in Their Children: Online Survey in Baghdad, 2020

Abstract

Background: Pinworm infection is caused by Enterobius vermicularis. According to World Health Organization, over a billion people are infected worldwide. Aim: To assess mothers’ knowledge, practice, and prevention of pinworm infestation among their children and to find the association with demographic features of them. Methods: A cross-sectional study with an analytic element in which 120 mothers participated in the study. Statistical significance is p<0.05. Results: About (68.3%) of participants were under 30 years old.  The mean age was 29.7, SD =4.6, (82%) of them completed their college or institution. Regarding the mode of transmission (68.3%) mothers said it is by contaminated food. They had good knowledge about prevention:  hand washing before and after feeding (95.8%), and hand washing after using the toilet (95.0%). Good knowledge about treatment was reported.  (88.3%) knew that pinworm is treated with oral medicine, (53.3%) knew that all the family members must be treated. Regarding treatment-seeking sites, (82.5%) choose privet clinics. Conclusions: Nearly two-thirds of the participants had good knowledge about pinworm infestation. The majority had good practice in the prevention of infection. There were significant relations between mothers’ educational level and total knowledge about treatment and prevention. The majority depend on the internet as a source of information.  Only a tiny number depend on PHC as a source.