[The practical aspects of the enterobiasis problem in Lithuania]

The invasion with enterobiasis in individual groups and antienterobiasis measures performed in Lithuania over the 1980-1989 period have been analysed. An overall average 10-year infectivity of children with Oxyuris vermicularis was 9.4%. The infectivity averaged 17.2% in organized groups of preschool children and 8.1% in nonorganized groups of preschool children. According to the data of 1984-1989 the infectivity in the pupils of the first-fourth forms averaged 18.4%. The infectivity of adults with enterobiasis was considerably lower than in children (1.6-2.3% on the average). Sanitary helminthological surveys have been conducted to assess the degree of contamination of articles in children preschool institutions with invaded matter. An overall index of contamination of the articles under study with Oxyuris vermicularis oocysts was 1.1%. So far enterobiasis control in the Republic has been focussed on the isolation and treatment of the invaded persons, as well as on the sanitary helminthological control over the environment. However, the above measures proved insufficient in combatting the epidemic process. It has been shown that the morbidity might be considerably lowered, provided rules of personal hygiene are strictly and constantly observed, the most essential of them being washing of children in the evening and in the morning. The struggle against enterobiasis may be effective in case all the antiepidemic measures are strictly observed with participation of parents and the personnel of the children institutions.