Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West Iran
Introduction: Head lice infestation is considered as a common dermatological health problem worldwide. This study was aimed to determine the pediculosis prevalence and associated risk factors among school-aged girls enrolled in public elementary schools of the city of Pave, Kermanshah province, Wes...
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The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
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| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/11930 |
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| author | Gona Bekri Abdolreza Shaghaghi |
| author_facet | Gona Bekri Abdolreza Shaghaghi |
| author_sort | Gona Bekri |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction: Head lice infestation is considered as a common dermatological health problem worldwide. This study was aimed to determine the pediculosis prevalence and associated risk factors among school-aged girls enrolled in public elementary schools of the city of Pave, Kermanshah province, West Iran. The study findings will provide an evidence base, upon which a multifaceted intervention against pediculosis can be formulated and implemented.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 361 elementary school-aged girls were recruited from October to December 2018 at the beginning of the school year. Diagnosis was made by visual inspection. A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data about past history of infestation and associated factors.
Results: A total of 26/361 (7.2%; 95% CI: 4.50-9.90) suffered from pediculosis. Pediculosis was associated with the history of previous infestation (OR: 6.12; 95% CI: 2.68-13.99; p < 0.001), low frequency of bathing (OR: 7.90; 95% CI: 3.36-18.60; p < 0.001), low frequency of hair combing (OR: 3.64; 95% CI: 1.56-8.50; p = 0.004), screening of the student's hair by parents at home (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19-0.78; p < 0.001) and with the absence of screening by the school health officer in the schools (OR: 7.16; 95% CI: 2.91-17.61; p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Synchronized efforts to enhance public knowledge, periodic examination of school-aged children for pediculosis, and proper treatment of infested patients are needed to control the disease in the Iranian elementary schools. The applied strategies in low and middle income countries is suggested to be focused mainly on low cost family-based and school-based initiatives for maximum effectiveness.
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| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1972-2680 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
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| series | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| spelling | doaj-art-62e4aa522ace45cfaa5aa0b78195c2022025-08-20T02:14:20ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802022-09-01160910.3855/jidc.11930Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West IranGona Bekri0Abdolreza Shaghaghi1Health education and Promotion Department, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranHealth education and Promotion Department, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Introduction: Head lice infestation is considered as a common dermatological health problem worldwide. This study was aimed to determine the pediculosis prevalence and associated risk factors among school-aged girls enrolled in public elementary schools of the city of Pave, Kermanshah province, West Iran. The study findings will provide an evidence base, upon which a multifaceted intervention against pediculosis can be formulated and implemented. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 361 elementary school-aged girls were recruited from October to December 2018 at the beginning of the school year. Diagnosis was made by visual inspection. A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect data about past history of infestation and associated factors. Results: A total of 26/361 (7.2%; 95% CI: 4.50-9.90) suffered from pediculosis. Pediculosis was associated with the history of previous infestation (OR: 6.12; 95% CI: 2.68-13.99; p < 0.001), low frequency of bathing (OR: 7.90; 95% CI: 3.36-18.60; p < 0.001), low frequency of hair combing (OR: 3.64; 95% CI: 1.56-8.50; p = 0.004), screening of the student's hair by parents at home (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19-0.78; p < 0.001) and with the absence of screening by the school health officer in the schools (OR: 7.16; 95% CI: 2.91-17.61; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Synchronized efforts to enhance public knowledge, periodic examination of school-aged children for pediculosis, and proper treatment of infested patients are needed to control the disease in the Iranian elementary schools. The applied strategies in low and middle income countries is suggested to be focused mainly on low cost family-based and school-based initiatives for maximum effectiveness. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/11930Pediculosislice infestationskin diseasesIran |
| spellingShingle | Gona Bekri Abdolreza Shaghaghi Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West Iran Journal of Infection in Developing Countries Pediculosis lice infestation skin diseases Iran |
| title | Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West Iran |
| title_full | Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West Iran |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West Iran |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West Iran |
| title_short | Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school-aged girls in Paveh, West Iran |
| title_sort | prevalence of pediculus humanus capitis and associated risk factors among elementary school aged girls in paveh west iran |
| topic | Pediculosis lice infestation skin diseases Iran |
| url | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/11930 |
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