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.
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