| Epidemiology of Pediculus capitis infestation and effective factors in Ahvaz County, Southwestern Iran |
| کد مقاله : 1004-ICNH |
| نویسندگان: |
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Hamid Kassiri *1، Masoumeh Mardani Kateki2 1School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2Student Research Committee , Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Iran |
| چکیده مقاله: |
| Hamid Kassiri 1 , Masoumeh Mardani Kateki 2 1: School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2: Student Research Committee , Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Iran Background and Objective: Head lice infestation affects millions of humans each year, particularly children of 5-14 years of entire socioeconomic categories. Pediculus capitis especially infest persons with poor hygiene.The research was designed in order to study the overall prevalence of pediculosis in people and its epedemiology. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted from 2008 to 2013 in eastern areas of Ahvaz County, Iran. The gathered head lice were transferred into glass bottles containing 70% alcohol. The hair and scalp of each person was examined for lice or nits by a trained examiner under the supervision of the principal investigator. The age, place of residence, month, sex, history on infestation of the host were recorded. The analysis was performed using SPSS version 18. Findings: A total of 5446 infected cases were detected, that 72.1% of them resided in urban areas. The rate of head lice infestation was 5142 (94.4%) in women . The prevalence of head lice was highest (41.2%) in age group of 6-10 years . Approximately 81% of the patients were under 18 years of age. The highest incidence of head lice by month were seen in March with 1008 cases (18.5%). The majority of cases (49.7%) were detected in winter. Regarding the incidence of head lice infestation in relation to the history of previous infection, 4930 cases (90.5%) had no previous history. Statistically significant relationships were found between head lice infestation, and factors such as residency status, season, and age groups (P<0.05). The prevalence of infestation was significantly higher in girls (94.4%) (P<0.05). Conclusion: We found a high prevalence rate of head lice infestation in this study. Gender, age group, season and a history of contact with an infected person were the main modifiable risk factors. |
| کلیدواژه ها: |
| Head Lice, Epidemiology, Iran. |
| وضعیت : چکیده برای ارائه به صورت پوستر پذیرفته شده است |