Roghayeh Norouzi, Sajjad Jafari, Haniyeh Meshkati, Fahimeh Bagheri Amiri, Abolghasem Siyadatpanah,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (Jan-Feb 2021)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Head louse, also known as Pediculus humanus capitis, is an obligate ectoparasite that is a distributed all around the world. The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of head lice infestation in primary school students in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
Methods: Overall, 3,032 students (1,515 boys and 1,517 girls) from 33 primary schools in Tabriz were selected via multi-stage cluster sampling in 2018. The students were examined individually and privately by experts. Head lice infestation was confirmed by detecting adult or nymph or nits less than 1 cm from base of hair. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS software package (version 23). Association of participants’ characteristics with pediculosis infestation was evaluated using logistic regression and chi-square test at significance level of 0.05.
Results: Head lice infestation was present in 130 (4.29%) students, while the prevalence of this condition was higher in girls (2.11%) than in boys. The highest prevalence (6.05 %) was observed in children age 6 years old regardless of gender. The rate of head lice infestation was lowest among students aged ≥12 years (3.17%). There was a significant relationship between head louse infestation and parent’s occupation, family size, the frequency of combing and hair style.
Conclusion: Although the prevalence of head lice infestation in Tabriz is relatively low, screening and treating schoolchildren should be done continuously in order to reduce the infestation rate.
Mohammad-Ali Mohaghegh, Roghayeh Norouzi, Abolghasem Siyadatpanah, Farzaneh Mirzaei, Ali Fatahi Bafghi, Seyed-Reza Mirbadie,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (May-Jun 2021)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs is the main source of human toxocariasis. The aim of this study was to determine rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd, central Iran.
Methods: During September 2014 to February 2015, a total of 220 soil samples were collected from public parks, primary schools, green areas, kindergartens, suburban areas, streets, residential complexes, backyards and a bus terminal in the city of Yazd, Yazd Province. Soil samples were investigated for the presences of Toxocara eggs by flotation technique using sucrose solution (1.2 g/cm3) and using light microscopy. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS (version 23) software package.
Results: A total of 220 soil samples from nine different places were examined. Of these samples, 51 (23.2%) were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. The contamination rate was 26.3% in public parks, 19.2% in primary schools, 28.6% in green areas, 22.2% in kindergartens, 24% in suburban areas, 8.3% in streets, 18.8% in residential complexes, 19% in backyards and 28.6% in the bus terminal. There was no significant difference in the soil contamination rate with Toxocara spp. eggs between different sampling places (χ2 = 3.096, d.f = 8 and P= 0.92) and sampling areas (χ2= 2.289, d.f = 2 and P= 0.318).
Conclusion: The high rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd emphasize on the need for preventive measures, such as improving sanitation, providing public health education and controlling stray dogs and cats near children play areas.
