Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41329777›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

Understanding the trends, clustering, and risk factors of pinworm infection in preschool settings: A repeated cross-sectional multi-center study between 2019 and 2024.

Fanzhen Mao, Xuecheng Li, Sheng Ye, Feng Tang, Bixian Ni, Qiang Zhang, Jiayao Zhang, Yaobao Liu, You Li, Jun Cao

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Pinworm (Frontiers in public health · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Fanzhen MaoSchool of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety and Emergency Prevention and Control Technology of Higher Education Institutions in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Xuecheng LiSchool of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety and Emergency Prevention and Control Technology of Higher Education Institutions in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Sheng YeSchool of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety and Emergency Prevention and Control Technology of Higher Education Institutions in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Feng TangJiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Wuxi, China.
Bixian NiJiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Wuxi, China.
Qiang ZhangJiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Wuxi, China.
Jiayao ZhangJiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Wuxi, China.
Yaobao LiuSchool of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety and Emergency Prevention and Control Technology of Higher Education Institutions in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.ORCID 0000-0001-9616-8948
You LiSchool of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety and Emergency Prevention and Control Technology of Higher Education Institutions in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Jun CaoSchool of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety and Emergency Prevention and Control Technology of Higher Education Institutions in Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Funding

Jiangsu Commission of Health Medical Research ProjectJiangsu Province Capability Improvement Project through Science, Technology, and EducationJiangsu Provincial Health International (Regional) Exchange Support Program
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) remains the most prevalent helminth among preschool-aged children worldwide. Despite China's rapid development and decades of mass deworming, pinworm infection persists as a significant paediatric public-health problem. In this study, we aimed to understand the trends, clustering, and risk factors of pinworm infection in preschool settings of Jiangsu, China.

methodsA repeated cross-sectional study was conducted in 45 counties of Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2024. Multi-stage cluster convenience sampling was applied. Each year, one rural preschool and one urban preschool were selected per county. The sample size for each school was 229 to obtain a 5% margin of error, an arbitrary design effect of 1.5 for a prevalence estimate of 10%, and a 10% nonresponse rate. A total of 27,925 children were investigated. Adhesive cellophane tape swabs were collected for confirmation of pinworm infection. A preschool-level permutation approach was used to evaluate clustering effects of pinworm infections within preschools, measured by infection rate ratio (IRR). Risk factors of pinworm infections were assessed by multiple logistic regression. Mediation analysis was conducted between the risk factor and pinworm infection.

resultsThe overall pinworm infection rate was 0.48%, ranging form 1.22% in 2019 to 0.11% in 2024 and showing a downward trend (χ2 = 52.436, P < 0.001). Significant within-preschool clustering effect was observed in 2019 (IRR = 5.95, 95% lower CL = 3.77) and 2021 (IRR = 1.96, 95% lower CL = 1.35). Risk factors for preschool pinworm infection included migrant children (OR=3.911, 95%CI = 2.749-5.610) and older age (OR=1.443, 95%CI = 1.209-1.730). Mediation analysis indicated that parental education and family income collectively explain 55.2% of the association between migrant status and infection.

conclusionsPinworm infections among preschool children demonstrate a within-preschool clustering effect. Despite the observed decline in infection rate of pinworms, targeted interventions are necessary in preschools, especially for migrant children. This study contributes to the broader understanding of enterobiasis and support the development of strategies to protect children's health in preschools.

Indexed as

EnterobiasisEnterobiusAnimalsChildChild, PreschoolChinaCluster AnalysisCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceRisk Factors

Identifiers

PMID41329777
PMCPMC12680333

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.