School-aged children have shown to be the group most susceptible to Pediculus capitis infestation, possibly due to their habits and behaviors. The purpose of the study was to verify the prevalence of head pediculosis in preschool children from Uberlândia, MG, and factors associated with infestation. The children's parents or guardians were also evaluated regarding socioeconomic status, knowledge of symptomatology and control of this ectoparasitosis. Data were obtained by direct examination of each child's head and a questionnaire answered by parents/guardians. The overall prevalence rate was 7.5% among the 372 children examined, and 4 to 5-year-old girls with long hair presented significantly higher prevalence rates. Information from the questionnaires indicated that 45% of the children had already been infested at least once and the main symptom mentioned was intense itching on the scalp. Those responsible mostly used natural control measures to control infestations. The results indicated that children under the age of six should also be included in head pediculosis control programs.

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A study of head lice infestations among young people, adults and elderly individuals was conducted from August 2010 to July 2013 in Manaus, AM, Northern Brazil. Hair samples collected from 1,860 individuals in 18 barber shops and beauty parlors were examined for the ectoparasite. The occurrence of pediculosis and its association with factors, such as sex, age, ethnicity, hair characteristics and the socioeconomic profile of salon customers, salon location and seasonal variation were determined. The overall occurrence rate was 2.84%. Occurrence was higher in hair samples from non-blacks and the elderly. Higher occurrence was also observed during kindergarten, elementary and junior education school holidays. The results indicate that the occurrence of head lice among young people, adults and the elderly in Manaus is relatively low compared to that determined in children and in other regions of the country. After children, the elderly were the most affected. The study also indicated the need to adopt additional procedures to improve surveys among the population with low or no purchasing power, which is usually the most affected by this ectoparasitic disease.

Resumo:Um novo jogo, usando analogias, apresenta os principais aspectos da síntese protéica. O objetivo desta prática é melhorar a aprendizagem sobre o processo de síntese protéica para estudantes no ensino médio. Nós utilizamos materiais de baixo custo e de fácil acesso para o desenvolvimento deste jogo. Para que os alunos compreendam a teoria de é necessário uma aula introdutória sobre a síntese protéica, antes de a aplicação desta prática. Para jogar, os alunos são divididos em dois grupos. O professor fornece a cada grupo uma ficha, representando um aminoácido e uma tabela com o código genético. Os alunos começam o jogo ao responder as perguntas feitas pelo adversário para conseguir a permissão para a pesca da base nitrogenada. Se a resposta estiver correta a base nitrogenada será entregue para o grupo, que terá que preencher um painel que contém seqüências correspondentes ao RNA mensageiro, DNA complementar e DNA molde, decodificados a partir do aminoácido fornecidos pelo professor no início do jogo. O primeiro grupo que completar todas as etapas da síntese protéica ganha o jogo. A aplicação desta prática nas escolas do nível médio da cidade de Manaus obteve uma excelente aceitação pelos profissionais da educação, que relataram o grande entusiasmo dos seus alunos para utilizar o jogo e uma melhora na compreensão do tema abordado em sala de aula. Os professores também comentaram a versatilidade desta prática, que foi utilizada com sucesso para abordar outras questões. Logo o jogo é uma prática que pode ser desenvolvido para complementar as aulas teóricas sobre o assunto. Abstract:A new game, using analogies, presents the main aspects of protein synthesis. The purpose of this practice is to improve learning about the process of protein synthesis for students in high school. We use low cost and easy access materials to the development of this game. For students to understand the theory must be an introductory lecture on protein synthesis, before the implementation of this practice. To play, students are divided into two groups. The teacher gives each group a plug, representing an amino acid and a table with the genetic code. Students start the game by answering the questions raised by the opponent to get the permission for fishing from the nitrogen base. If the answer is correct the nitrogen bases will be delivered to the group, which will have to fill a panel that contains sequences corresponding to the messenger RNA, DNA and complementary DNA template, decoded from the amino acid provided by the teacher early in the game. The first group to complete all the steps of protein synthesis wins the game. The application of this practice in schools in the high schools of the Manaus city returned an excellent acceptance by the teachers, who reported the great enthusiasm of his students to use the game and an improvement in the understanding of the issue addressed in the classroom. Teachers also commented on the versatility of this practice, which was successfully used to address other issues. So the game is a practi...

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the occurrence of head lice in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Uberlandia, MG, Brazil, analyze associations with sex, ethnicity, age and hair characteristics, and verify awareness among elderly adults. Head inspections were performed and infestation was characterized on individual forms. A questionnaire on the biology, epidemiology and control of head lice was applied. Overall occurrence was 1.4%, being highest in elderly women with medium-length curly hair. Questionnaire responses indicated that the majority had no general knowledge on head lice. More than 40% reported infestation at some point in their lives and most knew how to control it. Overall occurrence was considered low and is related to measures adopted by the LTCFs, which controlled infestation by minimizing the influence of factors normally associated with its occurrence. The study was pioneer in analyzing associations between head lice and the degree of autonomy of elderly adults.KEY WORDS: Head lice; infestation; elderly adults; Uberlandia, MG.

A pediculose do couro cabeludo é um problema de saúde pública não somente no Brasil, mas também em vários países do mundo. Crianças em idade escolar têm demonstrado ser o grupo mais susceptível à infestação por seus hábitos e comportamentos. Estudos recentes encontraram baixas taxas de ocorrência em crianças e jovens de creches e escolas de Manaus-AM. Foram objetivos deste estudo verificar a prevalência da pediculose do couro cabeludo em crianças e jovens atendidos em abrigos/orfanatos e no setor de pediatria de um ambulatório público na cidade de Manaus e também analisar possíveis associações com idade, sexo, etnia e tamanho dos cabelos dos parasitados. O diagnóstico da parasitose foi feito com base no exame direto das cabeças das crianças e jovens e, em seguida, foi preenchida uma ficha com informações sobre cada um dos 437 indivíduos examinados. Observou-se uma prevalência total de 44,8%. Houve maior ocorrência em indivíduos do sexo feminino (57,7%) e nas faixas etárias acima de 5 anos de idade. Indivíduos com cabelos longos exibiram a maior prevalência (62,3%). Os resultados apresentados neste trabalho mostram a necessidade de investigação desta ectoparasitose em grupos que apresentem características epidemiológicas como as descritas aqui e outras que os predisponham a esta e outras ectoparasitoses, mesmo em áreas/cidades onde esta dermatite parasitária apresente baixas taxas de ocorrência na população.

The purpose of this study was to verify the occurrence of head lice in children at a public hospital in Uberlândia, MG and factors associated with pediculosis such as sex, age, hair characteristics and socioeconomic conditions, as well as obtaining information from their parents/guardians regarding the epidemiology, its transmission, prevention and control. To obtain the data, direct hair inspection and a characterization sheet and questionnaire were utilized. An occurrence rate of 6.1 % was found in 230 children examined in a public hospital, 111 females and 119 males with the highest rates observed in female children aged 4-8 with medium to long hair. Income, level of education, hair washing, hair type, color and thickness did not seem to influence the distribution of pediculosis in the children seen in the hospital in Uberlândia. The questionnaire answered by parents/guardians indicated that the children had had at least one infestation in their lifetime. The use of fine comb and pesticides were the most usual control methods adopted. The most frequent symptom was severe itching on the scalp. Although the occurrence of head pediculosis is declining, it is still a prevalent public health problem in the child population of Uberlândia, MG. Pediculosis may be associated with sex, age and hair characteristics. Variations in the degree of these influencing factors depend on the profile of the population studied. Additional studies are required in population groups over time, particularly in those that are inadequately assisted or lack state education and health assistance.KEY WORDS: Pediculosis; ocurrence; Minas Gerais; Brazil.

Pediculosis capitis is a public health problem not only in Brazil, but also in many countries worldwide. Children are the most likely population group to be infested. The purpose of this study was to verify the prevalence of head lice in children seen at the public hospital in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, and factors associated with ectoparasitosis in this group. In addition, data about the transmission, prevention and control were obtained from the children’s parents or guardians. The scalp and hair of every child aged 2 to 12, attended to at the hospital pediatric outpatient clinic from 2015 to 2017, were examined. Questionnaires and characterization sheets were also used to obtain and record the information. The overall prevalence rate observed was 2.8%. The highest prevalence rates were observed in girls with medium length hair. Children presented a relatively low prevalence of head lice in the parasitological examinations. However, the answers to the questionnaires indicated that this ectoparasitosis is common in this population group. All the children examined were of school age, and their parents or guardians indicated the school environment as the main source of infestations. The responses to the questionnaires also highlighted evidence of negligence on the part of guardians of positive children regarding the occurrence of this ectoparasitosis. The information obtained indicates that authorities should design/improve their plans of action regarding guidelines for parents or guardians for adequate prevention and control of this ectoparasitosis.