Assistant Professor, Amol Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Abstract: (2515 Views)
Introduction and purpose: Infestation with body lice results in a condition called pediculosis. Lice infestation is one of the most common parasitic
infections having a considerable hygienic importance. Epidemiological studies can determine the status of infestation and its relationship with environmental factors. Adequate humidity and high population density have provided a suitable environment for the increase of lice population in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pediculosis
in Mazandaran Province, Iran, from 2012 to 2020.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study investigated the information regarding the frequency of pediculosis and the population of Mazandaran
Province, Iran, collected from the health network of Mazandaran Province, Iran, from 2012 to 2020. Subsequently, the data were analyzed separately considering gender, age, and location using Poisson regression test.
Results: According to the results, there were 243,487 cases of pediculosis from 2012 to 2020 in Mazandaran Province, Iran. The highest level of infection was observed in 2015 (1.61%). Moreover, Pediculosis was 5.6 times more common in females than males (P<0.05) and 2.1 times more common in rural areas, compared to urban areas (P<0.05). It is worth mentioning that the highest rate of infection was related to the 6-12-year age group.
Conclusion: The results show that age, gender, and residential areas are major variables associated with pediculosis. Therefore, it is highly suggested
to concentrate on these important variables for the prevention and control of pediculosis.