Valle BMA, Muñoz TA, Flores VME, Robles BJR

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 1-8
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ABSTRACT

Introduction: pediculosis is a chronic infestation increasingly common among school children worldwide. Its prevalence shows notable variation, often due to climate conditions and poor hygiene, as well as overcrowding and poverty. Due to under-reporting, epidemiological data are misleading, especially in Latin America and low-income regions around the world, with few published studies about the subject.
Objective: determine the frequency and prevalence of pediculosis among Mexican public school students.
Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted of a sample of 658 students (334 female and 324 male) from four public schools in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Results: a higher frequency of pediculosis was found in the female sex, with 72.73 % of the infested students, whereas the male sex accounted for only 27.27 %. Overall prevalence was 13.37 %. A larger number of pediculosis cases was found among students wearing long hair, with 42.02 %. Students with dark brown hair were more commonly affected, with 38.64 %. As to hair type, a higher percentage of pediculosis was found among students with straight fine and straight thick hair, for 40.9 % and 32.95 %, respectively.
Conclusions: pediculosis should be viewed as an urgent problem by health institutions and the population at large, due to the personal and social impact of this condition, and to preserve the wellbeing of children.