Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Infectious Diseases Research Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
2
Medical student, Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
3
Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
4
Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology/ Faculty of Medicine,Islamic Azad University Tonekabon Branch,Tonekabon, Iran
5
Department of Paramedicine, Amol School of Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
10.22034/ijmcm.2022.694597
Abstract
Head lice infection is the most common type of infection with external parasites among children. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of pediculosis from 2012 to 2020 in Mazandaran province. In this descriptive study, available data in the health system of Mazandaran province was used. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22. The total number of subjects was 247678. Out of 247678 people, 246077 (99.3%) had at least one type of head, body or pubic lice. Of the total number of people with head lice, 244,957 (99.5%) had head lice. People aged 6-13 years with a frequency of 116330 (47.2%) had the highest frequency, which was significantly higher than other groups (P-value <0.001). The prevalence in the city of Sari was significantly more than other cities (P-value <0.001). Frequency ratio in males in the two age groups including less than 6 years of age and aged 6–13 years was higher than female while in other two groups it was not. Therefore, in the 13-year-olds, the prevalence of patients was higher in males, but in older prevalence in females is significantly higher (P-value <0.01). In addition, most females and villagers had head-lice. Personal hygiene, access to health care services and periodic examinations will be effective in preventing this disease.
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