Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey.
- Author:
Ihsan Hakki CIFTCI
1
;
Semsettin KARACA
;
Omer DOGRU
;
Zafer CETINKAYA
;
Mustafa KULAC
Author Information
- Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Comparative Study
- Keywords: Pediculus humanus var. capitis; head louse; Sarcoptes scabiei; scabies; prevalence; children; Turkey
- MeSH: Turkey/epidemiology; Scabies/*epidemiology; *Sarcoptes scabiei; Questionnaires; Prevalence; Physical Examination/methods; *Pediculus; Male; Lice Infestations/*epidemiology; Humans; Female; Educational Status; Demography; Cross-Sectional Studies; Child, Preschool; Child; Animals
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology 2006;44(1):95-98
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendency of high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conduct a head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, crosssectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical examination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%) with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children with mothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and sociocultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health of preschool age children.
