Parasitic infections and medical expenses according to Health Insurance Review Assessment claims data in South Korea, 2011-2018.

INTRODUCTION: In South Korea, Health Insurance Review and Assessment claims data contain comprehensive information on healthcare services for almost the entire population. The present study used claims data on parasitic diseases from 2011 to 2018, and associated medical expenses to investigate infection trends associated with endemic parasitic diseases in South Korea, including those not monitored by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. METHODS: Basic data regarding each parasitic disease were curated from the Healthcare Bigdata Hub (http://opendata.hira.or.kr). Ten endemic parasitic diseases, three pandemic protozoan diseases, and three ectoparasitic diseases were evaluated between 2011 and 2018. Data on each parasitic disease included the number of patients of each sex, age range within 5 years, province, and total medical expenses. Heatmap and principal component analysis were performed to visualize the incidence pattern of parasitic diseases by provinces. RESULTS: Clonorchiasis and pinworm infections decreased remarkably from 6,097 and 4,018 infections in 2011 to 3,008 and 1,988 infections in 2018, respectively. Other endemic parasitic diseases mostly declined or remained steady over the 8-year period, except for anisakiasis, which doubled from 409 in 2011 to 818 in 2018. Provinces close to North Korea had a higher frequency of claims for Plasmodium vivax infection. The highest rate of clonorchiasis was in Gyeongsangnam-do, while that of anisakiasis was in southern Korea. Jeju province had the highest number of claims for cysticercosis, anisakiasis, pinworm infection, and soil-transmitted helminth infections. The total medical expense for anisakiasis was 65 million Korean won (57,000 US$) in 2011, rising to 237 million Korean won (206,000 US$) in 2018. The medical expense for trichomoniasis was 6,063 million won and for scabies was 1,669 million won in 2018. Since the claims data include only data reported by healthcare providers, some discrepancies might have occurred. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide the basis for a health policy to reduce further infections and medical expense.

[The prevalance of Enterobius vermicularis in primary school which have different socioecomic level in Ankara]. / Ankara Ili Sosyoekonomik Düzeyi Farklý Ilköðretim OkullarýndaEnterobius vermicularis'in Görülme Sýklýðý.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the prevalence of E. vermicularis and its relation with socioeconomic level, age, race, gender, mother's and father's educational level, income status, and housing type were investigated among 1729 students who were between ages 6-12 at 8 different elementary schools (Eryaman Türkkent, Tahsin Sahinkaya, Sahin, Beytepe, Azmi Ertugrul, Ege, Semiha Isen, Samime Talat Primary School) in Kazan, Etimesgut, Çankaya, Pursaklar, Mamak, and Sincan in Ankara. METHODS: A questionnaire form and cellophane-taped slides with locked bags were provided for students between November 2010 and May 2011. RESULTS: In total, 874 (50.5%) of students were female and 855 (49.5%) of them were male. According to the questionnaire, 197 (11.4%) of students had low, 986 (57.1%) moderate, and 545 (31.5%) high income levels. Also, 148 students out of 1729 were found to be infected with E. vermicularis, and the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis was found 86%; 81% (9.5%) of the infected were male and 67 (7.7%) was female. CONCLUSION: As the result of study, a significant difference was found between the presence of E. vermicularis and socio-demographic properties. However, there was no significant difference between presence of E. vermicularis and gender. These results show that the importance of socio-demographic properties on the presence of E. vermicularis.

[Distribution of Enterobius vermicularis among the schoolchildren of two primary schools with different social-economic status in the Ankara province]. / Ankara'da Farkli Sosyoekonomik Düzeye Sahip Iki Ilkögretim Okulu Ogrencileri Arasinda Enterobius vermicularis'in Dagilimi.

In this study, 207 cellophane-tape specimens were taken from children at two different primary schools in Ankara province. Twenty two out of 207 samples were positive for Enterobius vermicularis (10.6%). A questionnaire including the major factors affecting the distribution of E. vermicularis such as the students' ages, genders and socio-economic status was made. No relationship was found between children's gender and E. vermicularis infection, whereas a higher infection rate was seen in the low-income families. When the 6-9 age group was taken into consideration, the incidence of E. vermicularis was higher for the 8-9 age group than for the 6-7 age group. Abdominal pain was the most common clinical symptom among the children.

Epidemiology and control of enterobiasis in a developmental center.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if enterobiasis could be controlled in a developmental center. DESIGN: Population-based study. Annual screening of all residents by perianal swabs for enterobiasis and on admission or discharge. Treatment of infected residents and their contacts with mebendazole, 100 mg orally, with two doses given 14 days apart. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of residents with enterobiasis and the cost of the program. RESULTS: The prevalence of enterobiasis fell rapidly and progressively, from 21% before mass medication to 1% after 3 years. CONCLUSION: Mass medication of residents with enterobiasis and their contacts was beneficial, harmless, and cost effective.

[The medicosocial significance, epidemiology and prevention of enterobiasis at the present-day stage]. / Mediko-sotsial'noe znachenie, épidemiologiia i profilaktika énterobioza na sovremennom étape.

Presents data on enterobiasis prevalence, medicosocial significance, and epidemiologic features in the former USSR and CIS. Analyzes the causes of ineffective control of this disease. Emphasizes the necessity of simultaneous solution of medical and nonmedical (social) problems. Distinguishes the priority trends in the disease prevention.