Epidemiology

Ascariasis is a common infection in tropical and sub-tropical regions; 730 million to 804 million people are estimated to be infected worldwide.​[3][4]​​​ Within this global cohort, many are at risk of severe, sometimes life threatening complications.[3][10][11]

In economically developed countries, ascariasis is primarily found in recent immigrants and children adopted from endemic countries.

Clay-containing soils favour the survival and dissemination of Ascaris eggs after rainfall. Eggs can also withstand freezing; therefore, the infection extends into northern temperate zones. Only cold, arid climates seem free of infection. Sanitation, socio-economic status, and access to health care are additional factors that influence the likelihood of infection within a given population.[12]​​ Heavy worm burdens are more common in children than adults.[1][13] In preschool-age children, exposure to subsistence agriculture has been associated with higher intensity infections.[14]

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