Headlice in schoolchildren from Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar state, Venezuela
Between April and July 2013 a cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of headlice in children aged 6-15 years enrolled in four schools in Ciudad Bolívar, Bolivar State, Venezuela. The parasitological diagnosis was made by direct observation of eggs, nymphs and/or adults on th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidad del Zulia,Facultad de Medicina,Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales
2015-08-01
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| Series: | Kasmera |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/kasmera/article/view/20465 |
| Summary: | Between April and July 2013 a cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of headlice in children aged 6-15 years enrolled in four schools in Ciudad Bolívar, Bolivar State, Venezuela. The parasitological diagnosis was made by direct observation of eggs, nymphs and/or adults on the scalp and/or hair. After signing the informed consent, we filled a clinical and epidemiologic record to each participant. 697 children (40.3%) of the 1730 school enrollment were evaluated, determining a prevalence of 25.1% (175/697). Girls were significantly more infected (42.4%) (OR: 9.35 p<0.05). All age groups were affected (χ2 (Yates correction) = 6.90 d.f.: 4 p> 0.05), but the group of 8-11 years was predominant (70.3%). Factors associated with a higher prevalence of headlice were female (OR: 9.35 p<0.05), having previously had the disease (OR: 5.76 p<0.05) and have long hair (OR: 7.12 p<0.05) and dirty (OR: 2.20 p<0.05). In conclusion, although the headlice prevalence was relatively low (25.1%), we verified that this parasitoses remains a major medical problem in schoolchildren in Ciudad Bolivar. |
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| ISSN: | 0075-5222 2477-9628 |