@article {94725, title = {Epidemiology of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria}, journal = {Indian Journal of Paediatric Dermatology}, volume = {19}, year = {2018}, month = {09-2018}, pages = {331- 334}, abstract = {

Background: Pediculosis is a common ectoparasitic infection in schoolchildren, causing a public health problem, which is neglected in Syria. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of infestation with head lice among primary schoolchildren in Damascus, Syria, and explore the predisposing factors of head lice infestation in public schools. Materials and Methods: The present study was to determine the head lice infestation (pediculosis) levels in primary schoolchildren, from March to July 2017. A total of 8689 (females: 4392, males 4297) schoolchildren aged 6\–12 years from 18 selected primary school of Damascus city and countryside were examined for head lice. Pediculosis was defined as the presence of at least on living adult, nymph, or viable egg. Results: The overall head lice infestation rate was 14. 3\% (1243/8689) and infestation rate was higher in girls (23.72\%, 1042/4392) than in boys (4.67\%, 201/4297). The infestation rate among schoolchildren varied from 1.4\% to 60.7\% and depended on the age group is 18.10\% (6\–8 years), 12.22\% (9\–10 years), and 13.30\% (11\–12 years). The infestation rate among girls varied from 22.2\% (10\–12-year-old group) to 42.8\% (6\–8-year-old group). Conclusions: Pediculosis is a common public health problem affecting primary schoolchildren in Damascus area, and the levels of infestation are of an endemic significance.

}, keywords = {Damascus, epidemiology, Pediculosis capitis, schoolchildren, Syria}, issn = {2319-7250}, doi = {10.4103/ijpd.IJPD_123_17}, url = {http://www.ijpd.in/text.asp?2018/19/4/331/242410}, author = {Mohammad Taher Ismail and Mohammad Maher Kabakibi and Abeer Al-Kafri} } @article {94640, title = {Increasing trend of pediculosis (Pediculus Humanus Capitis) in Lamerd, Farashband, and Marvdasht Cities, Southern Iran}, journal = {International Archives of Health Sciences}, volume = {5}, year = {2018}, month = {May 2018}, pages = {38 - 42}, abstract = {

Aim: The aim of this study was to report the trend of pediculosis among people in Lamerd, Farashband, and Marvdasht cities, Southern Iran.

Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective study of patients with a definite diagnosis of Pediculus humanus capitis in 2012\–2015. Information recorded for each patient included the gender, age, residence, and the season of diagnosis. Results: In Lamerd, Marvdasht, and Farashband, the total numbers of pediculosis cases were 1675, 954, and 509 cases, respectively. In those three cities, the highest number of cases was found in the year 2015 (1568 n) and lowest was in 2012 (431 n). This difference was statistically significant (P \< 0.05). In all cities, the number of females (2921 n) was higher than males (217 n) (P \< 0.05). The highest prevalence of disease was seen in female children between the ages of 6\–12 years (1787 n) while the lowest prevalence was seen in male children \<6 years old (8 n). Considering the residence, the majority of cases in Marvdasht (549 n) and Farashband (401 n) were from urban areas, and the difference was statistically significant only in the city of Farashband. In those cities, totally, the highest and lowest number of cases was observed in the autumn and summer, respectively.

Conclusions: The results showed that the disease trend is increasing in recent years. Advance in socioeconomic conditions and also implementing health education programs for kids, parents, and sick people may help in controlling this disease.

}, keywords = {epidemiology, Fars, Iran, Pediculosis}, issn = {2383-2568}, doi = {10.4103/iahs.iahs_36_17}, url = {http://www.iahs.kaums.ac.ir/text.asp?2018/5/2/38/233486}, author = {Zahra Soltani and Davood Keshavarzi} } @article {94633, title = {Insights About Head Lice Transmission From Field Data and Mathematical Modeling}, journal = {Journal of Medical Entomology}, volume = {55}, year = {2018}, pages = {929 - 937}, abstract = {

Head lice infest millions of school-age children every year, both in developed and developing countries. However, little is known about the number of lice transferred among children during school activities, because direct methods to study this are almost impossible to implement. This issue has been addressed following an indirect method, which consist in collecting data of real infestation from several children groups and using a mathematical model of lice colonies to infer how the infestation observed might have evolved. By determining the events that would most likely lead to infestations as those observed, we find that severe infestations are most likely initiated by a relatively large number of lice transferred at the same moment or within relatively short time spans. In turn, analysis of the data obtained from screenings of the same groups of children a few days apart shows evidence of such transmission events. Interestingly, only children with severe infestations could harbor the lice necessary for this type of transmission.Thus, they play the same role as \‘superspreaders\’ in epidemiology. As part of our experimental study it is also shown that a simple procedure of combing can be very effective to remove all mobile lice, and thus could be used as an effective preventive measure against those severe infestations that are responsible for the spread of pediculosis.

}, keywords = {Argentina, epidemiology, mathematical model}, issn = {0022-2585}, doi = {10.1093/jme/tjy026}, url = {https://academic.oup.com/jme/article/55/4/929/4897907}, author = {Toloza,Ariel Ceferino and Mar{\'\i}a Fabiana Laguna and Isabel Ortega-Insaurralde and Vassena,Claudia V. and Sebasti{\'a}n Risau-Gusman} } @article {94602, title = {Prevalence of Head Lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) Infestation among Pupils in Elementary Schools in Makkah, Saudi Arabia}, year = {2018}, abstract = {

Background: Head lice infestation (Pediculosis capitus) is a common public health problem worldwide. It is a contagious condition caused by the human louse Pediculus humanus capitis, an obligate ectoparasite. Objective: To explore the prevalence of pediculosis among the pupils in the elementary schools in Makkah, and to study the risk factors that increase the lice infestation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in random school girls and boys in different areas in Makkah city. Questionnaire for collecting data with different clinical methods for inspection was done. Results: A total of 705 pupils aged between 6-15 years from 21 different schools participated. About 486 girls and 219 boys participated in the current study. The overall prevalence was 31.2\% girls were significantly infested than boys 42.8\%, 5.5\% respectively (p\<0.0001). Age group of 8-11 years in both boys and girls had a significant relationship with lice infestation (p\<0.02). Both boys and girls who reside in the middle area were more suspected of lice (p\<0.003). High significant was found in Arab race than others (p\<0.0001). Pupil whose father has worked was more suspected of lice infestation (p\<0.0001), however pupil whose mother is housewife was more suspected of lice infestation (p\<0.008). Shared head scarf with others girls had significant different to increase the infestation (p\<0.05). The result showed the relationship between smooth hair and lice infestation (p\<0.0001). Conclusion: The results obtained in the current study showed the spread of lice in the elementary schools in Makkah and the importance to prepare the comprehensive program for health education besides preparing a strategic plan for control, management, and eradication.

}, keywords = {epidemiology, head lice, Infestation, Pediculosis capitis}, url = {https://www.ijmrhs.com/abstract/prevalence-of-head-lice-pediculus-humanus-capitis-infestation-among-pupils-in-elementary-schools-in-makkah-saudi-arabia-15234.html}, author = {Khalil Mohamed and Amir Elmubarak and Dina Zaghloul and Malak Zahrani and Mona Jefri and Khadija Alfaqih and Marah Ashi and Maram Alnefaie and Amena Alkinani and Abdullah Alhazmi and Mohand Jafar and Ahmad Babalghith} } @article {94434, title = {Head lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae: Pediculus humanus capitis) infestations in children and adults in Israel}, journal = {Israel Journal of entomology}, volume = {48}, year = {2018}, month = {April 2018}, pages = {21 - 21}, abstract = {

Head lice infestation is a public health challenge even in developed nations, and 4\–14-year old children are most affected; information regarding the infestation rates of adults in developed countries is scarce. an Internet-based survey on lice infestation was distributed to mothers in Israel and their responses were analyzed. out of 959 responders, 895 (93.3 \%) were mothers (73.7 \% with \>12 years of education). mothers were more often infested (59.2 \%) and more likely (3 times or more) to be infested during adulthood, compared to fathers or other family adults. mothers of three or more children were infested more often than those with 1 or 2 children. mothers who reported professional contact with chil- dren other than their own (child care staff, teachers etc.) were infested signifi\­ cantly more often than those who did not report such contact. In families with more than one child, the eldest sibling was infested significantly more often than his/her brothers and/or sisters. In families in which the eldest child was infested at least once, the subsequent children were significantly more often in\­ fested than children in families, where the eldest child was never infested. In 67.4 \% of families with children of both genders, girls were infested more often than boys; in 42.1\% of all-boy families with more than one boy, one of the boys was infested more often than his brothers, while in 47.6\% of the all-girl families with more than one girl, one of the girls was infested more often than others. responsibility for head lice treatment rested primarily on the mother (78 \%); in 18.8 \% of families it was shared by both parents. a relatively large proportion of highly educated mothers from a developed country such as Israel self-report head lice infestation during adulthood. the article lists a series of re- commendations for health care and education authorities and professionals, aca- demic institutions, pharmaceutical companies and parents, aiming to diminish the national prevalence of head lice infestation.

}, keywords = {adults, Children, epidemiology, Head louse, survey.}, issn = {(online) 2224-6304}, url = {http://phthiraptera.info/sites/phthiraptera.info/files/94434.pdf}, author = {Kosta Y. Mumcuoglu and Shir Alfi and Michael Friger and E. Aronson and Chen Stein-Zamir} }