Pediculosis and Factors Affecting Its Prevalence among Schoolchildren in Amol City, Northern Iran.
Mazandaran, Iran
Pediculosis
Pediculus capitis
Schoolchildren
Journal
Journal of arthropod-borne diseases
ISSN: 2322-1984
Titre abrégé: J Arthropod Borne Dis
Pays: Iran
ID NLM: 101593448
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Mar 2024
Mar 2024
Historique:
received:
14
01
2023
accepted:
20
02
2024
medline:
15
7
2024
pubmed:
15
7
2024
entrez:
15
7
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Head louse infestation, pediculosis, is a serious health problem worldwide. Infected children usually suffer from itching, allergies, and secondary infections besides psychological disorders such as depression and lack of self-confidence leading to school failure. This study aimed to investigate the status of pediculosis and its determinant factors among schoolchildren in Amol City, Northern Iran. This study included 228 schools frequented by about 20017 students. Pediculosis was determined by careful examination of students' hair on the scalp, back of the neck, and around the ears. The diagnosis was based on observation of live adults, nymphs, and nits. A questionnaire was used to record the personal and demographic characteristics of participants. This study revealed that the prevalence of pediculosis among schoolchildren during all schooling seasons (autumn, winter, and spring) correlated with sex: the prevalence being higher among girls than boys (p= 0.00). In addition, the highest rates of pediculosis occurred during the autumn season (p= 0.00). The public schools accommodated higher numbers of louse-infected students than the private ones (p= 0.00). While head louse occurred at higher frequencies in long hair over the schooling year, dandruff had anti-louse effects (p= 0.00) during cold seasons, autumn, and winter. Socioeconomic status and educational level of parents played determinant roles in head louse prevalence (p= 0.00). Schoolchildren coming from socioeconomically well-situated families had lower rates of head louse infestation. Our results showed that head pediculosis was a serious health problem among schoolchildren in Amol city and its prevalence and severity tended to be multifactorial.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
Head louse infestation, pediculosis, is a serious health problem worldwide. Infected children usually suffer from itching, allergies, and secondary infections besides psychological disorders such as depression and lack of self-confidence leading to school failure. This study aimed to investigate the status of pediculosis and its determinant factors among schoolchildren in Amol City, Northern Iran.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
This study included 228 schools frequented by about 20017 students. Pediculosis was determined by careful examination of students' hair on the scalp, back of the neck, and around the ears. The diagnosis was based on observation of live adults, nymphs, and nits. A questionnaire was used to record the personal and demographic characteristics of participants.
Results
UNASSIGNED
This study revealed that the prevalence of pediculosis among schoolchildren during all schooling seasons (autumn, winter, and spring) correlated with sex: the prevalence being higher among girls than boys (p= 0.00). In addition, the highest rates of pediculosis occurred during the autumn season (p= 0.00). The public schools accommodated higher numbers of louse-infected students than the private ones (p= 0.00). While head louse occurred at higher frequencies in long hair over the schooling year, dandruff had anti-louse effects (p= 0.00) during cold seasons, autumn, and winter. Socioeconomic status and educational level of parents played determinant roles in head louse prevalence (p= 0.00). Schoolchildren coming from socioeconomically well-situated families had lower rates of head louse infestation.
Conclusion
UNASSIGNED
Our results showed that head pediculosis was a serious health problem among schoolchildren in Amol city and its prevalence and severity tended to be multifactorial.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39005539
doi: 10.18502/jad.v18i1.15672
pii: JAD-18-57
pmc: PMC11239371
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
57-67Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflict of interest statement The authors declare there is no conflict of interests.