The evaluation of epidemiological and clinical characteristics of head lice in North of Iran

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 ۲۰۱۲ to ۲۰۲۰ 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 ۲۲. The total number of subjects was ۲۴۷۶۷۸. Out of ۲۴۷۶۷۸ people, ۲۴۶۰۷۷ (۹۹.۳%) had at least one type of head, body or pubic lice. Of the total number of people with head lice, ۲۴۴,۹۵۷ (۹۹.۵%) had head lice. People aged ۶-۱۳ years with a frequency of ۱۱۶۳۳۰ (۴۷.۲%) had the highest frequency, which was significantly higher than other groups (P-value <۰.۰۰۱). The prevalence in the city of Sari was significantly more than other cities (P-value <۰.۰۰۱). Frequency ratio in males in the two age groups including less than ۶ years of age and aged ۶–۱۳ years was higher than female while in other two groups it was not. Therefore, in the ۱۳-year-olds, the prevalence of patients was higher in males, but in older prevalence in females is significantly higher (P-value <۰.۰۱). 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.

Keywords:

Lice , Pediculus , pediculosis , Prevalence , Mazandaran