Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 5 3 2010 09 15 57 63 EN O Engin Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital,Surgery Department, Izmir-Turkey S Calik Department of Clinical Microbiology, Urla State Hospital, Izmir-Turkey B Calik Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Large State Hospital, Surgery Department,Izmir-Turkey M Yildirim Department of Surgery, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir-Turkey G Coskun Department of Pathology Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Large State Hospital, Izmir-Turkey 2015 10 03 Background:  Understanding the etiology of appendicitis is important for developing effective treatments the rela­tionship between parasitic appendicitis and various socio-cultural factors were examined, particu­larly with respect to the incidence of literacy. The aim of the article was to research the relations between para­sitic appendicitis and literacy ratio in population. Methods: Cases of parasitic appendicitis resulting in surgery performed at Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Large State Hospital Surgery Clinic between 2002 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed and classified accord­ing to age, sex, type of parasite, morbidity, and mortality. Studies conducted in different regions of Turkey as well as in other countries were reviewed to determine if there was a relationship between para­sitic appendicitis and literacy. Results: Of the 1,969 appendectomy cases reviewed, nine were classified as parasitic appendicitis (0.45%). Enterobius vermicularis was observed in seven cases and Taenia spp. in two. The average age was 26.4 yr. No morbidity or mortality was found. Conclusion: The data were compared with a retrospective review of studies conducted in the same regions and a decrease in the rate of parasitic appendicitis was observed during the period between the two re­views. It was determined that a low literacy rate was associated with an increase in the incidence of para­sitic appendicitis. Observations made between different countries also produced similar results. In coun­tries where the incidence of parasitic appendiciticis was greater than 1.5%, the literacy rate was less than 88%. To avoid appendectomy resulting from parasites, it is important to increase education and literacy. In some areas, individuals with appendicitis undergo surgery due to a lack of education or poor literacy. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/147 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/147/146