Pediculose Do Couro Cabeludo Em Crianças De Creches E Escolas De Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

Head lice infestation is a public health problem, which, though more prevalent in children, may occur in all age groups. From July 2009 to February 2010 a total of 976 children aged 0-12 years who attended four schools and three day-care centers in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, were screened for the presence of head lice. The prevalence rate was 18.5%, with black (X 2 0.05 (1) = 4.655) female children (X 2 0.05(1) = 151.324) with dark hair (X 2 0.05(1) = 9.942) showing the highest prevalence rates. The type (X 2 0.05 (2) = 6.660) and length of hair (X 2 0.05 (2) = 58.042) also significantly influenced the prevalence of this ectoparasitosis. The age group most affected was the 10-12 year-old (X 2 0.05 (3) = 59.891). Questionnaire answers revealed that intense itching of the head was the most frequently observed symptom by the parents/guardians of affected children and that manual scavenging and pesticides are the main methods of controlling lice. Parents/guardians suggest the indicated educational institutions as the main sources of infestations. The results indicate the need to implement an integrated program to control this ectoparasitosis in the majority of the institutions surveyed.

Head Lice in Hair Samples From Youths, Adults and the Elderly in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil

“…The monthly distribution of infestation was monitored for three years. School age children seemed to act as reservoirs of this disease 4 and studies have demonstrated that significant variation in occurrence appears among children between the academic and vacation periods in Minas Gerais 3 , 20 .…”

“…In cases where significant differences between more than two proportions were observed, the data were submitted to angular transformation (p' = arc. sen √p'), followed by multiple comparisons using the Tukey range test 4 , 29 . A 5% level of significance was adopted 29 .…”

“…Pediculosis, infestation by Pediculus capitis De Geer (head lice), has worldwide distribution, including Brazil 11 , and is observed in all age groups, though particularly among children 4 , 23 , 28 . It is considered one of several ectoparasites neglected by the scientific community and healthcare authorities 12 .…”

“…In Brazil, epidemiological studies concerning this ectoparasitosis are concentrated in the southeastern region, while information from the northern and northeastern regions regarding infestation remains scarce 1 , 4 , 13 , except for a recent study involving school-age children in urban areas of Manaus 4 and another one from the state of Acre concerning infant dermatitis, which included head lice 1 .…”

“…Epidemiological features associated with head lice infestation among young people and adults were studied using analysis of hair cut in salons and similar establishments, located within the urban area of Manaus 1 , 13 . This study provided information concerning the occurrence, its monthly distribution and possible associations of several factors which, according to the literature 3 , 4 , can influence its occurrence, such as hair characteristics, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, the location of sampling, and seasonal variation.…”