Pediculosis Capitis: Prevalence and Its Associated Factors in Primary Schoolchildren Living in Rural and Urban Areas in Kaiseri, Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pediculosis capitis in schoolchildren living in rural and urban areas in Kayseri, a city located in central Anatolia in Turkey.Methods: This cross-sectional school-based study was performed in 24 randomly selected public schools. A total of 8,122 schoolchildren aged 5-16 years, from kindergarten to eighth grade, were examined for the presence of pediculosis capitis. A child was defined as being infested by the presence of live or dead lice or eggs/nits. The results were analyzed using the chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis.Results: The overall prevalence of head lice infestation was 13.1%. Pediculosis was more frequent in girls (25.2%) than in boys (0.86%) (p<0.001). The prevalence was lower in children aged 5-8 years than in those aged 9-11 or 12-16 years (p<0.001). In multiple regression analyses, the variables demonstrating statistically significant association with pediculosis were: being a girl (OR=40.93; 95% CI=29.06-57.66), being 9-11 years old (OR=1.54; 95% CI=1.25-1.89), residing with ≥ 3 siblings (OR=1.98; 95% CI=1.57-2.50), having a mother with no education (OR=1.73; 95% CI=1.29-2.33), having a father with no education (OR=1.45; 95% CI=1.08-1.94), living in a rural area (OR=2.34; 95% CI=2.02-2.71) and living in a one-room house (OR=2.39; 95% CI=1.41-4.08).Conclusions: Pediculosis capitis remains a health problem in schoolchildren in Kayseri, Turkey. In addition to improvement in socioeconomic status, collaborative and participation efforts among physicians, nurses, teachers, and parents are necessary to maintain effective epidemiological surveillance and provide treatment.

Assessment of the Prevalence of Pediculosis capitis among Primary School Girls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…This is because head lice infestation may be transmitted by sharing infested tools, which is more in agreement with result of this study. Studies from Turkey and Jordan proposed that a significant association between family income and prevalence rate of head lice (AlBashtawy and Hasna, 2012; Gulgun et al, 2013). Our finding is an agreement with them.…”

“…This is because mothers, who have a high level of education will have more knowledge about head lice due to their social communication (Toloza et al, 2009;Moradi et al, 2009). The infect of socioeconomic status upon the prevalence rate found in this study support with other studies (Toloza et al, 2009;Moradi et al, 2009;AlBashtawy and Hasna, 2012;Vahabi et al, 2012;Gulgun et al, 2013). In spite of that, it is disagreement with Sim et al (2011) and Tappeh et al (2012), who found no significant relationship between parent's education and infestation.…”

“…However, It is contradict some studies which found strong associated between infestation and number of hair washing per week (Sim et al, 2011;AlBashtawy and Hasna, 2012). Also, cleansing material for hair washing were not significant difference between infested and non-infested students (p>0.05), which means kind of washing materials is not effect on infestation head lice that was in reach a decision with Gulgun et al (2013).…”

The prevalence of infection with head lice pediculus humanus capitis among elementary girl students in Albaha region-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…15,16 Other studies also established the same result; in Turkey by (9.7 urban and 20% rural); in Jordan by (23.5 and 31.2%); in Iran by (0.66 and 1.66%) and in Yemen by (20.6%). [17][18][19][20] The rate of infestation in Egypt was reported as 16.7% by 26.6% in Jordan and 13.5% in Iraq. 10,18,21 In Turkey the rates ranged from 0.54 to 29.4% with an average rate of 10.16% and the rate was found to be 48% in India among children, Worldwide, in Europe prevalence varied from 0.48% to 22.4%.…”

Sex and Gender Differences in Infection and Treatments for Infectious Diseases

“…Considerable available data demonstrate differences between males and females in either or both the prevalence and severity of infection within examples of the Protozoa, Trematoda, Cestoda, Nematoda, and Arthropoda (Alexander and Stimson 1988;Roberts et al 1996Gulgun et al 2013). Some of these differences can be explained by differences in the behaviors between the sexes including occupation and social and cultural practices.…”