Abstract

CAZORLA PERFETTI, D; CUENCAS TALAVERA, J; ACOSTA QUINTERO, M  and  MORALES MORENO, P. Clinical and epidemiological aspects on pediculosis capitis in, Falcon State, Venezuela. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2012, vol.93, n.1. ISSN 1851-300X.

The human pediculosis capitis is a scalp and hair infestation caused by head lice Pediculus humanus capitis, which may result in bacterial secondary infections by intense scratching as well as anemia,  anxiety and embarassment which are increased by children' exclusion from school under "no-nit" policy. From March  to July  2011, a cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence and clinical and epidemiological profiles of head lice infestation among 199 (79 males and 120 females) inhabitants of all age groups (0-75 years;  ± D.S= 21.28 ± 17) of a rural and small town Arenales, from the semiarid region of Falcon state, north-western Venezuela.The diagnosis of head lice infestation was made by clinical naked eye inspection of scalp and hair for the presence of adult lice, nymphal stage, or eggs (nit) by line-toothed head lice comb. Lice was cleared and mounted in Hoyer’s medium for microscopic observation.  All individuals were evaluated by physical examinationand a detailed, structured questionnaire. The overall prevalence of head lice infestation was 10.10% (20/199). The prevalence of infestation was significantly higher in girls (90%) than in boys (10%) [Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.04; p = 0.01] and school-aged children (OR= 1.02;p=0,015;) with hair length >3cm (OR = 2,44; p = 0.004) and lissotrichic type (OR = 2.25; p = 0.02), (OR= 2.25; 0.98 - 5.18), however, these were not significantly different  among races or hair colours (P > 0.05). 65% of the individuals had only nits with 1 up to 64 per individuals, found between 0.1 and 9 cm from scalp on all anatomical regions of the head, and having school-aged children the higher ectoparasitic loads. Among clinical signs and symptoms, head pruritus (6.53 vs. 12.06%; OR =11.99; p =0.000) and excoriations (1.51% vs. 3.52%; OR =4.34; p = 0.03) showed significantly higher percentages in infested children than in uninfested ones. Other independent risk factors by logistic regression analysis signficantly associated with pediculosis captitis were playing on dust floor (OR = 2.20; p = 0.012), and frequency of hair washing ≥2 /week (OR = 1.01; p = 0.002). These results suggest that pediculosis capitis remains as a common and endemic public health problem in Venezuelan northwestern semiarid region. Thus, education campaigns by health care officials, physicians and teachers, as well as improving standards of living and personal hygiene might significantly reduce pediculosis capitis in those human populations endemically exponed.

Keywords : Pediculosis; Pediculus humanus capitis; Epidemiology; Clinics features; Venezuela.