Head pediculosis in schoolchildren in the eastern region of the European Union

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of head pediculosis among children from state primary schools in the villages and towns in eastern Poland, one of the poorest regions of the European Union. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 2009-2012 in 30 rural and urban State schools. Current and previous results (1996-2000) of examinations performed in the study area were compared. The impact of socioeconomic factors on the prevalence of head pediculosis in eastern Poland in the period of 16 years was analysed. Results. Pediculosis was diagnosed in 2.01% of the schoolchildren, more frequently in pupils from rural (3.52%) than urban (0.98%) schools. Lice infestation was higher in girls (59.52%) than in boys (40.48%). The risk of pediculosis in children increased in schools that did not employ a nurse (mean 5.07%) and decreased when a part-time (mean 2.96%) or full-time nurse (mean 1.01%) was employed. The incidence of pediculosis doubled despite the improvement in the socioeconomic status of the population observed within the last 16 years. Conclusion.The results indicate that personal hygiene behaviour may be of key importance in determining the spread of the disease.

Prevalence of Pediculosis Capitis and Associated Factors among Primary School Children at Kawiley Village North Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…The prevalence of pediculosis capitis in this study was 68.7% of children in primary schools infested with head lice. This prevalence is quite high compared to studies reported recently in several places, 2.01% in the European Union [26], 12.2% in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [21], 10% in Barat Daya Iran [25] and 44% in Batambang, Cambodia [27]. Respondents from the researches mentioned previouslty were generally elementary school children in urban areas, where as this research was conducted in rural areas.…”

“…In rural areas, pediculosis capitis was reported to be higher by a number of earlier studies [26]. Megrin [21] had point out that area of residence contributes significantly to the rate of head lice infestation in children (19,2%, p < 0.001).…”

Medical and Social Factors of Pediculosis

“…The highest pediculosis incidence rate was observed in developing countries of Central America, Asia, and Africa [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. However, the growth of population infestation with pediculosis, primarily head pediculosis, has also been noted in prosperous socioeconomic countries: the UK, Norway, the USA, and others [8], [9], [10], [11]. In Russia, up to 300 thousand cases of pediculosis are registered every year.…”

Efficacy of the Peganum Harmala Oil Versus 1% Permethrin Shampoo on the Treatment of Head Louse Infestation

“…[2]. At its peak, the disease will be of a far greater prevalence, where the widespread prevalence rate is reported up to 80% in different parts of the world which increases progressively [3][4][5].…”