Prevalence of Head Lice in Two Socio-economically Different Schools in the Center of Izmir City, Turkey
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2014
Yazarlar: Mehmet Karakus, Aylin Arici, Seray Ozensoy Toz, Yusuf Ozbel
Turkish Journal of Parasitology, Uluslararası, Scopus, 2014, cilt 38, ss 32-36
Özet
OBJECTIVE: The well-known and common infestation caused by Pediculus humanus capitis is an important public health and a social issue in many communities in the world. The aim of this study was to compare the head louse infestation rate in two schools having pupils from different socio-economic levels in the city center of Izmir. METHODS: The pupils aged between 6 and 11 years, were screened for the presence of eggs and nymph/adult lice using a fine-tooth head louse comb. RESULTS: A total of 88 and 126 pupils from the schools with low and medium socio-economic level were screened and 24 (27.2%) and 5 (3.96%) of them were found to be positive for head lice, respectively. Overall, the infestation rate among girls was 3.14 times higher than in boys. CONCLUSION: Head louse infestation is a significant public health problem among primary schools. Increasing the knowledge about pediculosis and self-hygiene would be helpful in successfully reducing head louse infestation in the school setting. School authorities must encourage the parents to look for head lice routinely and a "school nurse" system is needed for effective head louse control in the schools.