HEAD LICE INFESTATION IN CHILDREN IN DAY-CARE CENTERS AND SCHOOLS OF MANAUS, AMAZON, BRAZIL

Authors

  • Raquel Borges-Moroni UFG
  • Júlio Mendes
  • Silvia Cássia Brandão Justiniano
  • Anne Grazielle Lima Bindá

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v40i3.15977

Keywords:

Head lice, Prevalence, Children, Manaus, Amazon.

Abstract

Head lice infestation is a public health problem, which, though more prevalent in children, may occur in all age groups. From July 2009 to February 2010 a total of 976 children aged 0-12 years who attended four schools and three day-care centers in Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, were screened for the presence of head lice. The prevalence rate was 18.5%, with black (X2 0.05 (1) = 4.655) female children (X2 0.05(1) = 151.324) with dark hair (X2 0.05(1) = 9.942) showing the highest prevalence rates. The type (X2
0.05 (2) = 6.660) and length of hair (X2 0.05 (2) = 58.042) also significantly influenced the prevalence of this ectoparasitosis. The age group most affected was the 10-12
year-old (X2 0.05 (3) = 59.891). Questionnaire answers revealed that intense itching of the head was the most frequently observed symptom by the parents/guardians of affected children and that manual scavenging and pesticides are the main methods of controlling lice. Parents/guardians suggest the indicated educational institutions as the main sources of infestations. The results indicate the need to implement an integrated program to control this ectoparasitosis in the majority of the institutions
surveyed.

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Published

2011-10-17

How to Cite

BORGES-MORONI, R.; MENDES, J.; JUSTINIANO, S. C. B.; BINDÁ, A. G. L. HEAD LICE INFESTATION IN CHILDREN IN DAY-CARE CENTERS AND SCHOOLS OF MANAUS, AMAZON, BRAZIL. Revista de Patologia Tropical / Journal of Tropical Pathology, Goiânia, v. 40, n. 3, p. 263–270, 2011. DOI: 10.5216/rpt.v40i3.15977. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/iptsp/article/view/15977. Acesso em: 17 jul. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 3 (2011)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

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