title: Prevalence of pediculosis capitis in children from a rural school in Yucatan, Mexico.
abstract: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with active head lice infestation. In total 140 children, aged 6 to 16-years, from a public school in rural Yucatan, Mexico, were examined by wet-combing. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on individuals and the conditions in the surrounding environment. Head lice infestation was found in 19 out of the 140 children tested (13.6%) and this was associated with both lower income (OR 9.9, 95% CI 2.15-45.79, p = 0.003) and a higher frequency of hair washing (OR 8, 95% CI 1.58-50, p = 0.012). Intersectoral control programs that take into account the socioeconomic differences of children should be implemented.
authors.affiliation: Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manrique-Saide
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pavía-Ruz
authors.forename: Jorge C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Buenfil
authors.forename: Roodeth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrera Herrera
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gómez-Ruiz
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pilger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D010374:Pediculus; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors