Enterobiasis epidemiology and demographics

Template:PinwormEditor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Pinworms are particularly common in children. The prevalence of pinworms is not associated with gender, race, social class, or culture. The pinworm has a worldwide distribution, and is the most common helminth (i.e., parasitic worm) infection in the United States and Western Europe.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Pinworm infections are more common within families with school-aged children, in primary caregivers of infected children, and in institutionalized children.

Age

The people most likely to be infected with pinworm are children under 18, people who take care of infected children and people who are institutionalized. In these groups, the prevalence can reach 50%. The prevalence in this age group having been reported as high as 61000 in India, 50000 in England, 39000 in Thailand, 37000 in Sweden, and 29000 in Denmark per 100,000 population.

Gender

The prevalence of pinworms is not associated with gender.

Race

The prevalence of pinworms is not associated with any particular race, social class, or culture.

Developed Countries

The pinworm has a worldwide distribution, and is the most common helminth (i.e., parasitic worm) infection in the United States and Western Europe. In the United States, a study by the Center of Disease Control reported an overall incidence of 11,400 per 100,000 people of all ages.