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Valero MA, Haidamak J, Santos TCDO, Prüss IC, Bisson A, Santosdo Rosário C, Fantozzi MC, Morales-Suárez-Varela M, Klisiowicz DR. Pediculosis capitis risk factors in schoolchildren: hair thickness and hair length. Acta Trop 2024; 249:107075. [PMID: 37967666 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107075] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The human head lice is a cosmopolitan ectoparasite that causes pediculosis. The main way of spreading lice is through direct head-to-head contact. It is popular knowledge that some individuals are more susceptible to contracting head lice than others. Reports of individuals who have never been affected by the disease are common, even living in the same environment and under the same conditions as people who regularly have lice infestations. Previous research has been carried out on the risk of this infection associated with different human factors like gender or age. However, studies on the influence of the individual hair characteristics are scarce. The objective of the study was to analyze the pediculosis risk using geographical location, gender, age and individual hair characteristics as variables. Pediculosis was diagnosed through the detection of living lice in the hair. This cross-sectional school-based epidemiological study was conducted in 310 schoolchildren aged 1 to 13 years of schools in 4 municipalities situated in the State of Paraná, Brazil. The prevalence of head louse infection in primary school students was 49.35 %. The Odds Ratio of presence of pediculosis (OR) was estimated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The results obtained indicate that hair length and thickness increase the risk of infection. Furthermore, the inclusion of hair color, hair shape, kind of hair-scale as covariates increases the risk of pediculosis, indicating that these variables partly explain this susceptibility and that pediculosis is independent of gender. A smaller hair diameter may favor insect fixation to the hair in the nymphal phases. These results may explain why girls are a greater risk as they let their hair grow for cultural reasons, i.e., being of female gender is an agglutinating variable. The conclusions drawn may explain the discrepancies obtained in previous analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Valero
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, - Valencia, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5. Pabellón 11. Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - J Haidamak
- Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - T C de Oliveira Santos
- Post-Graduation Program in Physiology, Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - I Cristine Prüss
- Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - A Bisson
- Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - C Santosdo Rosário
- Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - M C Fantozzi
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjassot, - Valencia, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/Monforte de Lemos 3-5. Pabellón 11. Planta 0, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Morales-Suárez-Varela
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Ciencias de la Alimentación, Toxicología y Medicina Legal, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain; Consorcio para la Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - D R Klisiowicz
- Post-Graduation Program in Microbiology, Parasitology and Pathology, Basic Pathology Department, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
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Abbasi E, Daliri S, Yazdani Z, Mohseni S, Mohammadyan G, Seyed Hosseini SN, Haghighi RN. Evaluation of resistance of human head lice to pyrethroid insecticides: A meta-analysis study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17219. [PMID: 37408932 PMCID: PMC10319209 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pediculosis is one of the most common annoying infections caused by parasitic lice in humans. Pyrethroids are one of the main insecticides used to treat this infection. But recently, due to the Resistance of lice to this group of insecticides, its insecticidal effects have been affected. The present study was conducted through a meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence of pyrethroid resistance against these insecticides worldwide. Methods This study was conducted as a meta-analysis of the prevalence of treatment resistance in human head lice against pyrethroid insecticides worldwide. Based on this, all articles published without a time limit until the end of June 2022 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were extracted and using random-effects meta-analysis model statistical methods in the meta-analysis, Cochrane, Index I2, and funnel plot were analyzed by STATA software. Results Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis process. According to this, the prevalence of pyrethroid resistance insecticides in human head lice was estimated at 59% (CI95%: 50%-68%). Among pyrethroid insecticides, the highest prevalence of pyrethroid resistance against permethrin insecticide was 65%. Regarding the prevalence of Resistance by year, the prevalence before 2004 was estimated at 33%, but after 2015, this rate reached 82%. Also, the majority of pyrethroid resistance was estimated at 68% using genetic diagnosis methods and 43% using clinical diagnosis methods. Conclusion More than half of human head lice pyrethroid resistance insecticides. Based on this, it is recommended that before using this treatment method to treat human head lice Infestation, it should investigate the prevalence of pyrethroid resistance in that area, and if the majority of Resistance is high, alternative or combined treatment methods should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Abbasi
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Dept. of Biology and Control of Disease Vectors, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Salman Daliri
- Research Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Zahra Yazdani
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shokrollah Mohseni
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ghulamraza Mohammadyan
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Estonian Parents' Awareness of Pediculosis and Its Occurrence in Their Children. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2022; 58:medicina58121773. [PMID: 36556975 PMCID: PMC9784162 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58121773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Pediculosis, or head lice infestation, is a widespread health problem that can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or social background. The purpose of this study was to clarify the occurrence of pediculosis among Estonian preschool- and primary school-aged children according to their parents and the parent’s awareness of pediculosis and related behaviors. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire was completed by the parents of the preschool children (n = 1141) in 2019 and the parents of the elementary school children (n = 362) in 2021. For the descriptive data, t-test, Mann−Whitney or χ2 test, linear regression, and logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: According to the parents, pediculosis had occurred in 34.7% of the children, and more than one-third of pediculosis patients had experienced it more than twice. Lice were mainly acquired from elementary school or preschool and less often from friends, relatives, or training environments. Parents’ knowledge of head lice was rather good; the average score of the correct answers was 14.0 ± 3.4 (max. 20). In the multivariate analysis, higher age (coefficient 0.07, p < 0.001), healthcare education (coefficient 1.19, p < 0.001), and a previous occurrence of pediculosis in a family (coefficient 1.95; p < 0.001) were factors influencing better knowledge. In order to treat the infestation, antilice shampoo and combing were the most often used methods. Conclusion: Despite parents’ awareness, pediculosis infestations continue to be common among our children.
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Souza ABDE, Morais PCDE, Dorea JPSP, Fonseca ABM, Nakashima FT, Corrêa LL, França PO, Bastos OMP, Barbosa AS, Uchôa CMA. Pediculosis knowledge among schoolchildren parents and its relation with head lice prevalence. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20210337. [PMID: 35730862 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220210337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediculosis mainly affects school-age children worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the knowledge of the parents and guardians of children in elementary schools in Niterói, Brazil, regarding pediculosis. Questionnaires were applied to 237 guardians of children at five 1-5 grade municipal schools. The responses were analyzed and correlated with positivity to louse infestation, detected by scalp aspiration. 73.8% of the respondents reported that their child had already been infested with lice. 32.9% presented correct responses about transmission. Incorrect responses were attributed to the air/wind, blood type and the fact that lice jump and fly. 40.1% of the respondents erroneously correlated control over the parasitosis with hygiene. A majority of the participants (58.6%) responded that pediculosis is harmful to health, while a small proportion (20.7%) considered it to be a disease. The prevalence of pediculosis was 19.8% among schoolchildren. Female sex, pruritus on the head and indifference regarding infestation were shown to be risk factors for pediculosis. The lack of perception of pediculosis as a disease may lead to naturalization of this parasitosis. Incorrect responses may add difficulty to implementation of preventive and curative approaches, which highlights the importance of dissemination of correct information about pediculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariela B DE Souza
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patricia C DE Morais
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - João Pedro S P Dorea
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz M Fonseca
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Departamento de Estatística, Rua Professor Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, s/n, Blocos G e H, Campus do Gragoatá, São Domingos, 24210-201 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Flávia T Nakashima
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Laís L Corrêa
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Pâmela O França
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Otilio M P Bastos
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alynne S Barbosa
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudia M A Uchôa
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Professor Hernani Pires de Melo, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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Bartosik K, Janczaruk M, Zając Z, Sędzikowska A, Kulisz J, Woźniak A, Jasztal-Kniażuk A, Kulbaka E, Tytuła A. Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland-Is There a Chance for Change? J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030783. [PMID: 35160233 PMCID: PMC8837132 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediculosis capitis is a current and neglected health issue worldwide. The lack of screening programs contributes to the marginalization of the problem and delays therapeutic measures. Our study aimed to analyze the occurrence of this parasitosis in primary schools in Poland and to determine factors contributing to the persistence of its foci. The research tools were two questionnaires: one for primary school children and the other for school managers. While children answered questions about the epidemiology of pediculosis capitis and expressed their opinion on the hygienic condition of infested persons, the school directors were asked about the occurrence of head lice in schools, preventive measures, and institutions supporting schools in combating the infestation. The survey covered the period 2014–2018. Pediculosis capitis was reported in 87.5% of the schools. The greatest number of cases was reported in the group of 6–9 year-olds (68%). Among 4970 children, 16.7% had no knowledge of head lice; however, 57.1% wanted to increase their awareness of the problem. Campaigns on lice were conducted mainly as a result of emerging pediculosis capitis cases, and most schools could not rely on institutional support. Screening programs and preventive educational campaigns should be part of pediculosis capitis control in Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Bartosik
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marzena Janczaruk
- II Chair and Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery and Surgical Oncology of the Alimentary Tract, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
| | - Aleksandra Sędzikowska
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Joanna Kulisz
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
| | - Aneta Woźniak
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin, Poland; (Z.Z.); (J.K.); (A.W.)
| | - Anita Jasztal-Kniażuk
- Regional Chamber of Nurses and Midwives in Lublin, 20-072 Lublin, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (A.T.)
| | - Ewa Kulbaka
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Tytuła
- Regional Chamber of Nurses and Midwives in Lublin, 20-072 Lublin, Poland; (A.J.-K.); (A.T.)
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Baghdadi HB, Omer EOM, Metwally DM, Abdel-Gaber R. Prevalence of head lice ( Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation among schools workers in the Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:5662-5666. [PMID: 34588877 PMCID: PMC8459046 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In a cross-sectional survey in February-May 2019, the prevalence of Pediculosis capitis with demographic data and the behavioral practices were investigated among 750 participants in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Female participation was highly remarked with a percentage of 94.08% compared to that of male one about 5.91%. A deficiency of knowledge about lice infestation was noted especially among illiterate participants raised from their socio-economic levels (p-value = 0.001). Lice infestation reached higher rates in children aged less than 20 years with itching of the hair scalp. The obtained results revealed that 59.33% of the respondents believed that frequency of personal hygiene and washing of hair were the best methods for preventing the lice infestation. However, the treatment of lice infestation using anti-lice agents (p-value = 0.020) was preferred by 14.26% of participants. Although knowledge about the preventive tools for lice infestation (p-value 0.089) was not significantly associated with the experience of infestation but knowledge about the appropriate treatment to kill lice (p-value 0.020) and the wrong practices in the treatment of a head lice infestation were (p-value 0.005) significantly associated with the experience of infestation. Health programs and campaigns preventions are highly advised to increase the awareness of Pediculosis capitis with an effective strategic plan to control, manage, and prevent this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanadi B Baghdadi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,Basic and Applied Scientific Research Center, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eltigani O M Omer
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dina M Metwally
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Rewaida Abdel-Gaber
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Hurst SK, Dotson JAW, Butterfield P, Corbett CF, Oneal G. Stigma resulting from head lice infestation: A concept analysis and implications for public health. Nurs Forum 2020; 55:252-258. [PMID: 31919854 DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this concept analysis was to examine stigma in the context of head lice, illuminating its components and providing insights for the development of appropriate nursing interventions. BACKGROUND Stigma associated with the phenomenon of head lice management is pervasive, promulgating fear and influencing policy and treatment practices. Few studies have examined stigma in this context. METHOD The method followed was the Rodgers's evolutionary method. DATA SOURCES Health, education, and social sciences databases were searched and yielded 20 articles spanning 1996-2018 used to create a relevant literature review. RESULTS Stigma arising from head lice infestation is preceded by an actual or perceived case of head lice, negative perceptions of lice, negative perception of groups or persons with head lice, or being associated with a group or person of lesser status believed to be a carrier of head lice. Defining attributes include marks of infestation, negative and unfair beliefs, and shame. Consequences of stigma are economic costs, social costs, mistreatment, and overtreatment with pediculicides. CONCLUSION The concept of stigma in the context of head lice management is multifaceted. Further research is required to understand the magnitude of stigma as well as other factors associated with optimal treatment of children with head lice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila K Hurst
- College of Nursing, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | | | | | - Cynthia F Corbett
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Gail Oneal
- College of Nursing, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
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Birkemoe T, Lindstedt HH, Ottesen P, Soleng A, Næss Ø, Rukke BA. Head lice predictors and infestation dynamics among primary school children in Norway. Fam Pract 2016; 33:23-9. [PMID: 26511728 PMCID: PMC4717868 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmv081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health providers need to know which measures to take and children to prioritize in order to decrease costs associated with head lice infestations. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the most important predictors for head lice and identify the major drivers of an infestation outbreak in a low-prevalence area. METHODS The study was based on three datasets of head lice prevalence (retrospective, point prevalence and prospective approach) from primary school children (ages 6-12) at 12 schools in Oslo, Norway. The tested predictors were siblings with lice, individual and household characteristics as well as class and school affiliation. Self-reported monthly incidences (prospective approach) of head lice were used to evaluate infestation dynamics. RESULTS Infested siblings strongly increased the odds of head lice infestation of school children (odds ratio 36, 26 and 7 in the three datasets) whereas having short hair halved the odds. Household characteristics were of minor importance, and class affiliation proved more important than school affiliation. Having head lice in one school term increased the odds of an infestation in the next, but this effect diminished over time. About 97% of all self-reported infestations were noted in two consecutive months or less. CONCLUSIONS With the exception of hair length, we have found that individual and household characteristics are of minor importance to predict head lice infestations in a low-prevalence country and that unnoticed transmissions in school classes and families are likely to be the major driver upon outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tone Birkemoe
- Department of Ecology and Natural resource management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 5003, NO 1432 ÅS
| | | | - Preben Ottesen
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
| | - Arnulf Soleng
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
| | - Øyvind Næss
- Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Arne Rukke
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health,
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Speare R, Harrington H, Canyon D, Massey PD. A systematic literature review of pediculosis due to head lice in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories: what country specific research on head lice is needed? BMC DERMATOLOGY 2014; 14:11. [PMID: 24962507 PMCID: PMC4078391 DOI: 10.1186/1471-5945-14-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of guidelines on control of pediculosis in the Solomon Islands led to a search for relevant evidence on head lice in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). The aim of this search was to systematically evaluate evidence in the peer reviewed literature on pediculosis due to head lice (Pediculus humanus var capitis) in the 22 PICTs from the perspective of its value in informing national guidelines and control strategies. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus were searched using the terms (pediculosis OR head lice) AND each of the 22 PICTs individually. PRISMA methodology was used. Exclusion criteria were: i) not on topic; ii) publications on pediculosis not relevant to the country of the particular search; iii) in grey literature. RESULTS Of 24 publications identified, only 5 were included. Four related to treatment and one to epidemiology. None contained information relevant to informing national guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Current local evidence on head lice in the PICTs is minimal and totally inadequate to guide any recommendations for treatment or control. We recommend that local research is required to generate evidence on: i) epidemiology; ii) knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care providers and community members; iii) efficacy of local commercially available pharmaceutical treatments and local customary treatments; iv) acceptability, accessibility and affordability of available treatment strategies; and iv) appropriate control strategies for families, groups and institutions. We also recommend that operational research be done by local researchers based in the PICTs, supported by experienced head lice researchers, using a two way research capacity building model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Speare
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Australia.
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Rukke BA, Soleng A, Lindstedt HH, Ottesen P, Birkemoe T. Socioeconomic status, family background and other key factors influence the management of head lice in Norway. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1847-61. [PMID: 24609236 PMCID: PMC4544653 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3833-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
How head lice infestations are managed by households is an important but generally neglected issue in head lice research. In the present study, we investigate actions taken against head lice by Norwegian households in association with socioeconomic status, family background, school-related variables and other key factors. Repeat questionnaires distributed to caretakers of the same elementary school children during a 2-year period enabled us to study both previous head lice management and any changes in this management through time. Households from 12 schools spanning the main socioeconomic variation found in Norway participated in the study. All students with active head lice infestation were treated in the four investigated periods. Most caretakers used a thorough head lice checking technique and informed others of own infestation. Checking frequency was low as most children were inspected less than monthly. The best determinant of increased checking frequency and thoroughness was personal experience with head lice. The increased awareness, however, seemed to be somewhat short-lived, as there was a decrease in checking frequency and thoroughness within 1 year after infestation. Personal experience with head lice also increased general knowledge related to the parasite. Parents born in developing countries checked their children for head lice more frequently, although less thoroughly, informed fewer contacts when infested, used pediculicides preventively more often and knew less about head lice than parents born in developed countries. Households with highly educated mothers had a lower checking frequency, but their knowledge and willingness to inform others was high. Single parents were more concerned about economic costs and kept children home from school longer while infested than other parents. As head lice management varied among socioeconomic groups and with parental background, differentiated advice should be considered in the control of head lice. The biannual focus on head lice during the 2 years of investigation increased checking thoroughness, while checking frequency remained unchanged. Based on the results, we suggest new head lice management guidelines for health authorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjørn Arne Rukke
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arnulf Soleng
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Preben Ottesen
- Department of Pest Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tone Birkemoe
- Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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Ortega-Marín L, Márquez-Serrano M, Lara-López LM, Moncada LI, Idrovo AJ. Effect of households' social networks on lice infestation among vulnerable Mexican children: a qualitative comparative analysis. J Trop Pediatr 2013; 59:413-8. [PMID: 23751254 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmt041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of pediculosis is high among elementary and secondary school children, which favors the belief that infestation occurs more often in schools than in homes. This study explored the role of households' social networks in the transmission of head lice. Seventeen school children and their social networks (n = 22) from Acatlipa (Morelos, Mexico) participated in a prospective observational study during school vacation. The hair of all the school children was washed with shampoo containing permethrin at the beginning of the study and the incidence of pediculosis (O) was evaluated at the beginning of the school term (follow-up at 1.5 months). The sets included in the qualitative comparative analysis were sex (S), length of hair (H), baseline diagnostic of pediculosis (I) and degree (D) and infestation index (N) obtained through the analysis of social networks. The prevalence of pediculosis was the same at the beginning and the end of follow-up (17.6%). The degree of the school children's networks ranged between 2 and 14. There were 8 configurations, the most frequent being F*i*d*n*h. The most parsimonious configuration associated with the incidence of pediculosis was F*I*d*H (female, previous infestation, low degree and long hair), with a coverage of 0.344 and a consistency of 0.941. Indicators of social networks made it possible to identify the role of households' social networks in the transmission of lice. Individual actions such as the use of shampoo containing insecticides are temporary and, therefore, structural actions should be favored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Ortega-Marín
- General Direction of Health Promotion, Sub-Ministry of Prevention & Promotion, Ministry of Health. Mexico City, Mexico
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Lindh J, Magnusson M, Grünewald M, Hulth A. Head lice surveillance on a deregulated OTC-sales market: a study using web query data. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48666. [PMID: 23144923 PMCID: PMC3492466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, is an obligate ectoparasite that causes infestations of humans. Studies have demonstrated a correlation between sales figures for over-the-counter (OTC) treatment products and the number of humans with head lice. The deregulation of the Swedish pharmacy market on July 1, 2009, decreased the possibility to obtain complete sale figures and thereby the possibility to obtain yearly trends of head lice infestations. In the presented study we wanted to investigate whether web queries on head lice can be used as substitute for OTC sales figures. Via Google Insights for Search and Vårdguiden medical web site, the number of queries on “huvudlöss” (head lice) and “hårlöss” (lice in hair) were obtained. The analysis showed that both the Vårdguiden series and the Google series were statistically significant (p<0.001) when added separately, but if the Google series were already included in the model, the Vårdguiden series were not statistically significant (p = 0.5689). In conclusion, web queries can detect if there is an increase or decrease of head lice infested humans in Sweden over a period of years, and be as reliable a proxy as the OTC-sales figures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Lindh
- Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control, Solna, Sweden.
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Paasch U, Grunewald S, Handrick W, Nenoff P. [Teases at the scalp: ectoparasites]. MMW Fortschr Med 2012; O 154 Suppl 2:59-64. [PMID: 22916427 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-012-0776-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Paasch
- Univer.-Klinikum Leipzig, AöR, Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Europaisches Ausbildungszentrum für Andrologie
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