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Morales-Suarez-Varela M, Álvarez-Fernández BE, Peraita-Costa I, Llopis-Morales A, Valero MA. Pediculosis humanus capitis in 6-7 years old schoolchildren in Valencia, Spain. Cent Eur J Public Health 2023; 31:144-150. [PMID: 37451249 DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pediculosis humanus capitis is a worldwide public health concern that affects mostly school-aged children. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of pediculosis and to determine possible risk factors in a group of primary school children in Valencia, Spain; 227 children, 6-7 years old, were selected from 7 schools. METHODS A self-reported questionnaire completed by the parents/guardians about the presence of pediculosis in their children and their knowledge about pediculosis. The results recorded in the questionnaire were analysed by SPSS® software. RESULTS 30.4% of the children had pediculosis. The results showed significant variation (p < 0.05) in prevalence depending on the following factors: sex, hair length, level of parental education, family size, presence of affected family member in the home, and frequency of hair washing. Less than half of parents/guardians showed an appropriate level of knowledge on pediculosis. Pediculosis remains a health problem in Valencian schoolchildren. The family size and existence of another member with pediculosis were shown to be the main potentiating factors. CONCLUSIONS Parents are not sufficiently informed about pediculosis and adopt inappropriate practices. There is a need to promote studies with the objective of determining risk factors for pediculosis as well as the need for actions to increase the knowledge of parents and healthcare professionals on this parasitosis to prevent outbreaks in the community, assure correct treatment and maintain effective epidemiological surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Morales-Suarez-Varela
- Research Group in Social and Nutritional Epidemiology, Pharmacoepidemiology and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca E Álvarez-Fernández
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
- Faculty of Chemistry-Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Guerrero, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Isabel Peraita-Costa
- Research Group in Social and Nutritional Epidemiology, Pharmacoepidemiology and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Llopis-Morales
- Research Group in Social and Nutritional Epidemiology, Pharmacoepidemiology and Public Health, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
| | - M. Adela Valero
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
- CIBER of Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
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Hatam-Nahavandi K, Ahmadpour E, Pashazadeh F, Dezhkam A, Zarean M, Rafiei-Sefiddashti R, Salimi-Khorashad A, Hosseini-Teshnizi S, Hazratian T, Otranto D. Pediculosis capitis among school-age students worldwide as an emerging public health concern: a systematic review and meta-analysis of past five decades. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3125-3143. [PMID: 32803332 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06847-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Pediculosis by Pediculus humanus capitis is still an important health issue in school-age students worldwide. Although pediculicidal agents effectively kill head lice, the re-infestation rate is still high. This study was conducted to provide a summary of evidence about the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among school-age students worldwide. Different databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for publications related to pediculosis capitis in school-age students from 1977 to 2020. All peer-reviewed original research articles describing pediculosis capitis among school-age students were included. Statistical heterogeneity of the different years among studies was assessed using the standard chi squared and I2 tests. Due to the significant heterogeneity, a random effect model was adopted to estimate the pooled, continent, and gender-specific prevalence of pediculosis. Two hundred and one papers met the inclusion criteria of this review and entered into the meta-analysis including 1,218,351 individuals. Through a random effect model, the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among school students was estimated as 19% (CI 95% = 0.18-0.20%, I2 = 99.89%). The prevalence of pediculosis capitis among boys was 7% (CI 95% = 0.05-0.10) compared to 19% (CI 95% = 0.15-0.24) in girls. The highest prevalence was in Central and South America (33%, CI 95% = 0.22-0.44, I2 = 99.81%) and the lowest was in Europe (5%, CI 95% = 4-6, I2 = 99.28%). Relatively high pediculosis capitis prevalence among school-age students observed in this study emphasizes the need for implementing screening and prophylaxis tailored to the local context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kareem Hatam-Nahavandi
- School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran.,Research Center for Contagious Diseases and Tropical Infections, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Fariba Pashazadeh
- Research Center for Evidence Based Medicine (RCEBM), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Asiyeh Dezhkam
- School of Medicine, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | - Mehdi Zarean
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | | | | | - Teimour Hazratian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Alp E, Erdem H, Rello J. Management of septic shock and severe infections in migrants and returning travelers requiring critical care. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 35:527-33. [PMID: 26825315 PMCID: PMC7088366 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2575-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During the past decade, global human movement created a virtually "borderless world". Consequently, the developed world is facing "forgotten" and now imported infectious diseases. Many infections are observed upon travel and migration, and the clinical spectrum is diverse, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe septic shock. The severity of infection depends on the etiology and timeliness of diagnosis. While assessing the etiology of severe infection in travelers and migrants, it is important to acquire a detailed clinical history; geography, dates of travel, places visited, type of transportation, lay-overs and intermediate stops, potential exposure to exotic diseases, and activities that were undertaken during travelling and prophylaxis and vaccines either taken or not before travel are all important parameters. Tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia, visceral leishmaniasis, enteric fever and hemorrhagic fever are the most common etiologies in severely infected travelers and migrants. The management of severe sepsis and septic shock in migrants and returning travelers requires a systematic approach in the evaluation of these patients based on travel history. Early and broad-spectrum therapy is recommended for the management of septic shock comprising broad spectrum antibiotics, source control, fluid therapy and hemodynamic support, corticosteroids, tight glycemic control, and organ support and monitoring. We here review the diagnostic and therapeutic routing of severely ill travelers and migrants, stratified by the nature of the infectious agents most often encountered among them.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Alp
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - H Erdem
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Gulhane Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey
| | - J Rello
- Critical Care Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, CIBERES, Universitat Autonma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Rassami W, Soonwera M. Epidemiology of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok, Thailand. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2015; 2:901-4. [PMID: 23569868 DOI: 10.1016/s2221-1691(12)60250-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Revised: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of infestation with head lice in primary schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok, Thailand. METHODS The present study was to determine the head lice infestation (Pediculosis) levels in primary schoolchildren, during May, 2011 to July, 2011, A total of 3 747 schoolchildren aged 5-12 years old from 12 selected primary school of Ladkrabang district, the eastern area of Bangkok were examined for head lice. Pediculosis was defined as the presence of at least on living adult, nymph and viable egg. RESULTS The overall head lice infestation rate was 23.32% and infestation rate was higher in girls (47.12%) than in boys (0%). The infestation rate among schoolchildren varied from 12.62% to 29.76%. The infestation rate among girls varied from 26.07% (12 years old group) to 55.89% (8 years old group). CONCLUSIONS Pediculosis is a common public health problem affecting primary schoolchildren in eastern area of Bangkok and those levels are epidemic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Watcharawit Rassami
- Entomology and Environment Program, Plant Production Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok Thailand
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Gutiérrez MM, González JW, Stefanazzi N, Serralunga G, Yañez L, Ferrero AA. Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis infestation among kindergarten children in Bahía Blanca city, Argentina. Parasitol Res 2012; 111:1309-13. [PMID: 22752696 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-012-2966-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Anoplura: Pediculidae), is a worldwide public health concern. This human obligate ectoparasite usually infests school age children. The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of head lice in kindergarten children from Bahia Blanca. In addition, the influence of risk factors for pediculosis infestation, such as gender, hair characteristics, and socioeconomic class, was studied in relation to the prevalence of this ectoparasite. From a total of 220 pupils examined (125 girls and 95 boys), 94 showed pediculosis. The overall prevalence of head lice infestation was 42.7 %. Pediculosis was more frequent in girls (53.6 %) than in boys (28.4 %) and in medium, long, and very long hairs. No differences were found between socioeconomic classes. This indicated that head lice are relatively common in kindergarten children from Bahía Blanca.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Mercedes Gutiérrez
- Laboratorio de Zoología de Invertebrados II, Dpto de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, 8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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Abstract
Head lice infestation is associated with limited morbidity but causes a high level of anxiety among parents of school-aged children. Since the 2002 clinical report on head lice was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, patterns of resistance to products available over-the-counter and by prescription have changed, and additional mechanical means of removing head lice have been explored. This revised clinical report clarifies current diagnosis and treatment protocols and provides guidance for the management of children with head lice in the school setting.
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