Prevalence of pediculosis capitis in children from a rural school in Yucatan, Mexico

• Autor(a) principal: Manrique-Saide, Pablo
• Data de Publicação: 2011
• Outros Autores: Pavía-Ruz, Norma, Rodríguez-Buenfil, Jorge C., Herrera Herrera, Roodeth, Gómez-Ruiz, Pilar, Pilger, Daniel
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Texto Completo: https://www.revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/31430
• topic: Pediculosis capitis; Head lice; Schoolchildren; Yucatan; Mexico

We conducted an analytical cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with active head lice infestation. In total 140 children, aged 6 to 16-years, from a public school in rural Yucatan, Mexico, were examined by wet-combing. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on individuals and the conditions in the surrounding environment. Head lice infestation was found in 19 out of the 140 children tested (13.6%) and this was associated with both lower income (OR 9.9, 95% CI 2.15-45.79, p = 0.003) and a higher frequency of hair washing (OR 8, 95% CI 1.58-50, p = 0.012). Intersectoral control programs that take into account the socioeconomic differences of children should be implemented.