Epidemiological Aspects of Head Lice in Children Attended to at a Public Hospital in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

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.

Epidemiology Study of the Head Lice Pediculus humanus capitis Isolated among Primary School Students in Erbil city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

“…A numerous of other researchers show a semi-close results in their published appears compared to the results of the current study, they have proved the occurrences of a significant relationship between age and the head lice infestation, but regarding age groups do not agree with the results of the present study, in a way that the infestation is greater among children under 8 years of age unlike the present study as recorded by Al-Bayati and Muhaisen [50] from Alkhalis twown center in Diyala province; Mahmood and Nasraddin [51] from Erbil; Lashari et al [52] from Samina town in Pakistan; Salih [53] from Al-Njaf; Khidir [33] from Erbil; Ali and Hama [34] from Sulaimania; Marinaho [54] from Uberlândia in Brazil; Dagne [11] from Woreta town in Ethiopia and Tawfeeq [9] from Tikrit.…”

First Detection of Acinetobacter baumannii in Pediculus humanus capitis from Latin America

“…Head lice transmission can also occur in other settings, such as health care centres and hospitals, especially children’s outpatient units. Studies conducted on Brazilian children attending public hospitals reported an infestation prevalence of 2.8% [ 4 ] and 6.1% [ 5 ]. Although unusual, health-care-associated transmission of pediculosis is possible due to the close contact between staff and infested pediatric patients [ 6 ].…”

“…Although unusual, health-care-associated transmission of pediculosis is possible due to the close contact between staff and infested pediatric patients [ 6 ]. Several reports demonstrate that head lice transmission in medical settings is highly likely [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Occurrence and Awareness of Head Lice Among Elderly Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities in Uberlandia, Mg, Brazil

“…The former mainly involves the use of procedures like nit picking, combing with a fine comb and scraping the scalp. Chemical control involves the use of insecticides, and is one of the most widely used methods to control head lice (Nunes et al, 2015;Marinho et al, 2018).…”

“…Given that head lice infestation has posed an important public health problem over time, current epidemiological studies aimed at increasing knowledge on the topic are fundamental, especially regarding the implementation of parasite control policies (Borges-Moroni et al, 2011;Marinho et al, 2018).…”