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Risk Factors Associated with Head Lice Infestation in Rural Pediatric Patients
Neerja Saraswat1, Pooja Shankar2, Ajay Chopra1
1Department of Dermatology, Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Socio-economic and lifestyle factors significantly influence head louse infestations in children. Poor hygiene and lower education levels are key risk factors for this common pediatric parasitic disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Parasitology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Head louse infestation (pediculosis capitis) is a widespread parasitic disease affecting children globally.
- It frequently occurs in communal settings like schools and is not limited by age, gender, or race.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate socio-economic and lifestyle risk factors associated with head louse infestation in pediatric patients.
- To identify key determinants influencing the prevalence of head lice in children.
Main Methods:
- An observational, descriptive study was conducted over one year in rural Uttar Pradesh.
- Data were collected from children aged 5-15 years using a pre-validated questionnaire and convenience sampling.
- Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to control for confounding variables.
Main Results:
- Females (71.1%) and children aged 5-7 years (41.8%) were most commonly affected.
- Lower parental education levels (59%) and larger family sizes (34.9%) were prevalent.
- Infrequent bathing (32.7% bathed twice weekly) and longer hair (37.5% had shoulder-length hair) were noted.
Conclusions:
- Socio-economic status, including parental education and family income, significantly impacts head lice epidemiology.
- Lifestyle factors such as hygiene practices and hair care play a crucial role in head louse infestation.
- Understanding these factors is vital for developing effective control strategies in pediatric populations.
Introduction:
Head louse infestation is a common parasitic disease in pediatric age group. It is common in collective centers such as schools, garrisons, campuses and old age homes. It is worldwide in distribution with no strict limitation with respect to age, gender and race.
Aims:
Present study was conducted to investigate the socio-economic and lifestyle risk factors for head louse infestation in pediatric patients.
Materials And Methods:
An observational descriptive study at a tertiary care hospital in rural Uttar Pradesh over a period of 1 year wherein measurement of disease/risk factors associated with head louse infestation was performed. It was carried out in all children between 5 and 15 years of age using a pre-validated questionnaire. The method of convenience sampling was used and multiple logistic regression was run to account for potential confounding variables using SPSS software.
Results:
A total of 165 (71.1%) females and 67 (28.8%) males were infested. Most common age group affected was between 5 and 7 years where 97 (41.8%) children were infected. Ninety-five (40.9%) children were in fourth to seventh standards. Parents of 137 (59%) children were not formally educated. Eighty-one (34.9%) children had six members in the family while per capita income was between 5000 and 2500 in families of 139 (59.9%) children. Eighty-seven (37.5%) children had hair length up to shoulders. One twenty-eight (55.1%) children had no family member affected. Seventy-six (32.7%) children took bath twice a week only.
Conclusion:
Social and economic factors as well as lifestyle and education level of patients play a significant role in epidemiology of head lice.
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