Korean J Parasitol.  2006 Mar;44(1):95-98. 10.3347/kjp.2006.44.1.95.

Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey

• CIFTCI IH
• KARACA S
• DOGRU O
• CETINKAYA
• KULAC M

• KMID: 1091844
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2006.44.1.95

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.

Keyword

Pediculus humanus var. capitis; head louse; Sarcoptes scabiei; scabies; prevalence; children; Turkey

MeSH Terms

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