EJMS

Abstract

Background: Pediculosis capitis (PC) and scabies are important public health problem in childhood. Aim: To define the prevalence of PC and scabies and to define the sociodemographic, environment, and health care behavior characteristics of school students with these infestations in Cairo city, Egypt. Subjects and methods: A cross-section, analytical study design was chosen to perform this work. Three primary schools were the field of this study. The total number of students was 1987. The students were clinically examined; for each infested case with PC/scabies a control student was chosen. Results: Prevalence of PC and scabies was 10.2% and 3.4%, respectively. Significant social characteristics for students with PC and scabies were the low level of head of the family education, occupation, and social status. Also, significant personal hygiene characteristics were poor hair and body and environment hygiene. While significant health care behavior characteristics were student never received skin examination, no early consultation for skin diseases, and no compliance with therapy. Further; 87.2% of PC cases were females, 41.4% were the last birth order child, 67.0% had previous infestation with PC, 79.8% had sibling(s) with PC, and 15.3% had parents with history of infestation with PC. On the other hand; 64.2% of scabitics were males, 44.8% were the last birth order child, 65.7% had previous infestation with scabies, 62.7% had sibling(s) with scabies, and 16.4% had parents with history of infestation with scabies. Also, 62.1% of the PC cases had crowding index <1, 89.2% had no sun access, 73.4% had shared water supply and bathing facilities, 78.8% were co-sleeping, 72.4% had no short cut hair, and 89.7% were sharing hair brushes. On the other hand, 73.1% of the scabitcs had crowding index <1, 91.0% had no sun access, 88.1% had shared water supply and bathing facilities, and 83.6% were co-sleeping. Conclusions: Many factors of PC and scabies can be manipulated, so these infestations can be prevented. Recommendations: Improving students' hygiene, health education, and regular dermatological screening and treatment of students are important essentiality. Also, dermatological health component of school health services should be integrated in school health program.