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

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
• Main Authors: Pablo Manrique-Saide, Norma Pavía-Ruz, Jorge C. Rodríguez-Buenfil, Roodeth Herrera Herrera, Pilar Gómez-Ruiz, Daniel Pilger
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 2011
• Subjects: Pediculosis capitis; Head lice; Schoolchildren; Yucatan; Mexico; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652011000600005; https://doaj.org/article/2b4fa5ea69754543a235a966961a978d

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.