Co-existence of Enterobiasis, Urinary Tract Infection and Enuresis in Children in Calabar, Nigeria.

Abstract

Children, aged 5-14 years, were screened for enterobiasis, urinary tract infection and enuresis in Calabar, Nigeria between January and December, 2008 to explore the existence of any relationship between the three problems. Enterobiasis vermicularis eggs were detected using the cellophane anal swabbing method, carried out once in each case while urinary tract infection was investigated using standard bacteriological procedures. Enuresis was assessed using interviewer administered questionnaires. All Enterobius-and/or urinary tract infection-positive children were further evaluated to determine the combined effects of the first two problems on the occurrence of enuresis. The overall prevalence of enterobiasis, urinary tract infection, and enuresis in the study were 6.8%, 10.9%, and 35.6% respectively. The most frequently isolated agent of urinary tract infection was Escherichia coli (32.9%). There was a statistically significant correlation in the co-existence of the three problems (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of enterobiasis by age and gender (P<0.05 for each). Enterobiais with concomitant urinary tract infection was more significantly related to enuresis than any single infection (X² =17.19, P<0.05 v. X² = 4.89, P<0.05 v X² = 3.09, P>0.05, respectively). Children with mixed infections of pinworm and urinary tract infection were much more likely to wet bed. It is recommended that children presenting with persistent enuresis should be screened for enterobiasis and urinary tract infection.

Keywords: Childhood, Urinary Tract Infection, Enuresis, Relationship.