Epidemiology of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok,Thailand

Objective:To determine the prevalence of infestation with head lice in primary schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok,Thailand.Methods:The present study was to determine the head lice infestation(Pediculosis) levels in primary schoolchildren,during May,2011 to July, 2011,A total of 3747 schoolchildren aged 5-12 years old from 12 selected primary school of Ladkrabang district,the eastern area of Bangkok were examined for head lice.Pediculosis was defined as the presence of at least on living adult,nymph and viable egg.Results:The overall head lice infestation rate was 23.32%and infestation rate was higher in girls(47.12%) than in boys(0%).The infestation rate among schoolchildren varied from 12.62%to 29.76%.The infestation rate among girls varied from 26.07%(12 years old group) to 55.89%(8 years old group).Conclusions: Pediculosis is a common public healtli problem affecting primary schoolchildren in eastern area of Bangkok and those levels are epidemic importance.

Pediculosis capitis among primary and middle school children in Asadabad,Iran:An epidemiological study

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of head lice in primary and middle school children in Asadabad,Iran.Methods:This study is an analytical descriptive cross-sectional one conducted among primary and middle school children in Asadabad during the academic year of 2013–2014.Data were collected at baseline via questionnaire,checklist and head examination.Results:A total of 600 students were examined(412 girls and 188 boys),and 14 students showed pediculosis.And the total prevalence rate was 2.3%(3.2% girls and 0.5% boys).The infestation was equal in public and private schools.The rate of pediculosis was higher in students of primary schools(4.0%) than those in middle schools(0.7%).The age of the students ranged from 6 to 14 years.The total number of infected group was 14 with mean age of 8.93 ± 2.43 years,and it was 586 with mean age of 10.98 ± 2.82 years for the uninfected group who were enrolled in the study(P < 0.01).This study showed significant differences between students with curly hair(5.5%) and those with straight hair(1.9%)when compared in terms of head lice infestation(P < 0.05).The relations of pediculosis and other socioeconomic factors such as sharing common comb and a room with other people,frequency of bathing,and parents' profession and education were analyzed,and Chi-square test did not show a statistically significant relationship between head lice contamination and the abovementioned socioeconomic factors(P > 0.05).Conclusions:It is necessary to find the risk factors of the infection in order to understand how to control or decrease infection in students,considering the important role of health education in reduction of head lice infections.

Effects of newly devised plasma lice comb on human hair

A plasma device was developed showing high potential for a pesticide-free treatment of pediculosis. As a first safety assessment of the device was presented earlier, this present paper focuses on the damage introduced to human hair during a plasma treatment for pediculosis control. Therefore, human hairs were treated repeatedly to assess the possible occurring damage developing with increasing treatment durations. To analyse the inflicted changes on human hair examinations using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS/ESCA), scanning nearfield optical microscopy(SNOM) and scanning electron microscopy were conducted, to compare the modifications of surface chemistry and mechanical alterations. The investigations revealed a mild impact on the surface chemistry(XPS/SNOM), while more distinct morphological changes on the hair surface could be observed. The authors conclude that an effect of the plasma comb device on the hair during a real-life treatment is negligible, due to the very short contact times during a standard combing procedure for pediculosis control.