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Assaedi LM, Alharbi AH, Aldor SM, Albarakati BA, Alsahafi IK, Magliah RF, Alahmadi GB, Bugis BH. The prevalence of pediculosis capitis in Makkah city Saudi Arabia. Our Dermatol Online. 2018;9(2):114-117. |
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The prevalence of pediculosis capitis in Makkah city Saudi Arabia
Luai Mohammed Assaedi1, Aymen Hamed Alharbi2, Shahad Mahmoud Aldor1, Bilqis Ahmed Albarakati1, Imtinan Khalid Alsahafi1, Rami Fawzi Magliah1, Ghaida Bakor Alahmadi1, Bassam Hussain Bugis1
1Umm AlQura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, 2King Abdulaziz Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Corresponding author: Dr. Aymen Hamed Alharbi, MD, E-mail: aymen334@hotmail.com
Submission: 29.10.2017; Acceptance: 23.01.2017
DOI: 10.7241/ourd.20182.2
ABSTRACT
Background: In Saudi Arabia, there is limited data regarding the epidemiology of head lice. We aim to measure the prevalence of head lice particularly in Makkah city along with assessing the risk factors associated with it.
Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from 1st of June to 1st July 2017, among all males and females with no age restriction living in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Results: Of the 438 participants (mean age, 25) the majority were female 78.5% (344), and 21.5%(94) were male. The prevalence of P. capitis infection was 64.2% (281/438) among them 85.8%, (178/281) confirmed transition of disease to another family member mainly to their sisters. The prevalence of pediculosis was significantly elevated among females 88.3 % (248) than males 11.7 % (p<0.0001). Also, it was higher among the nonemployees 82.6%(232/281) (p<0.015). The infestation was significantly associated with long hair p<0.0001. 71.2%, participants with a history of lice infestation confirmed sharing personal belongings with others (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: The infected participants were predominantly females, with a sizeable proportion confirming transition of infestation to another family member. P. capitis was commonly associated with long hair and higher among nonemployee and those who share their personal belongings.
Key words: Head lice, Pediculosis capitis, Hair disorders, Makkah
INTRODUCTION
The close relationship between lice and human is explained by a long history back to approximately 100,000 years ago. With early human migrants from Africa where they found that P. humans show a genetic evidence of expansion from Africa. This was evidenced by the oldest human head louse nit that was found from a hair sample dated to 8000 B.C. in northeastern Brazil; another oldest hair sample was found 9000 years old, obtained from a corpse found in the Nahal Hemar cave [1].
There are two types of lice parasitizing humans: Pthirus and Pediculus. The latter one caused a significant public health problem, and it has two ecotypes: the body louse and the head louse, where head lice diverge into three clades (A, B and C), each clade has a unique geographic distribution throughout the world [2].
P.hummanus var. capitis is an infestation of human hair, scalp, and neck by the head louse. An obligatory blood-feeding ectoparasite, transmit by sharing personal belongings like head scarfs, brushes, pillows or even head to head contact which is the most common mode of transmission [2].
They cause blood loss, itchiness, redness, discomfort, social and psychological distress. Usually, the most common symptom of head lice is pruritus; Although head lice do not transmit any disease the possibility of secondary bacterial infections occurring at scratch sites with impetiginization [3].
According to many studies, head lice are considered one of the common infection in school-age children all around the world [4]. Annually in the United States of America, Pediculosis capitis, affects six to twelve million individuals. In Saudi Arabia, some studies were reported but with a limitation in the data regarding the epidemiology of head lice.
In a recent study in Jeddah city, the prevalence of pediculosis was 11.26%, and distribution of infestation among males and females was broadly similar [5]. In Abha city, the most common transmissible skin diseases were P. capitis (9.6%) with an increase in the prevalence as the age decreases [6].
In our study, we aim to measure the prevalence of head lice in Makkah city among all ages. Additionally, the effect of risk factors associated with head lice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
It is a Descriptive cross-sectional survey that was successively conducted from 1st of June to 1st July 2017, Among All males and females with no age restriction living in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. We included all Makkah residents who participated in the survey and excluded all non-Makkah residents from the study.
After seeking the approval from the institutional review board (IRB) of King Abdulaziz Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. An electronic questioner was created using google docs and was distributed. The survey included an overall information about the previous occurrence of pediculosis capitis, demographics and risk factors such exposure to animal pets and sharing personal belongings.
Statistical analysis
After importing the data from the Microsoft Excel file, the data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science SPSS version 23. Frequency tables were made to measure the prevalence of each variable. The risk factors were analyzed by chi-squares to measure its significances in relation to the primary dependent variables and to sit the P.value to be =0.05
Ethics statement
This manuscript describes original work and is not under consideration by any other journal. All authors approved the manuscript and this submission, also all the authors made significant contribution to the study.
RESULTS
A total of 438 participants were included in the analysis. The average age of participant was 25 years. 78.5% (344) of them were female, and 21.5% (94) were male. The overall prevalence of P. capitis infection was found to be positive in 64.2% (281/438). The prevalence of pediculosis was significantly elevated among females 88.3% (248) than males 11.7% (p<0.0001). Also, it was higher among the nonemployees 82.6%(232/281) in comparison to the employees 17.4% (49/281) (p<0.015).
On the contrary, no significant association between head lice infection and having a pet or animal at home (p>0.414), or any other demographic data (Table 1).
As for the frequency of hair washing three times a week it was higher among those who previously had head lice 51.6% (145/281) (p=0. 033).
Regarding the type and length of hair, both oily and long hair were great in association with head lice accounting for 39% (112/281) and 59.9% (168/281) respectively. However, only hair length showed a significant association with head lice infestation p<0.0001 and not so much with the type of hair (Table 2).
From the 281 people with lice 241 confirmed transition of infection to another family member by 85.8%, (178/281) 63.3% were their sisters (p<0.0001). However, 97,9% (275 out of 281) denied transition of infection to another site in their body rather than their head (p<0.0001).
Also, 71.2%, participants with a history of lice infestation confirmed sharing personal belongings with others (p<0.0001) while around 40% share their bed with others (p=0.021).
Scalp itchiness and redness were the major significant symptoms for head lice infestation (p<0.0001 and p=0.011) (Table 3).
DISCUSSION
There are Important factors affecting the rate of infestation by head lice, such as socioeconomic factors, personal hygiene, and gender. Some of them have been approved previously by researchers to contribute to the transition of lice from head-to-head which we included in our research. The rate of infestation in unemployed people were higher at different ages by 82.6% comparing to the employees. Which reveals that people of low income can somehow be more prone to infestation, this finding has been approved as well in Korea where they found that even the occupation of parents can affect the prevalence of head lice [7]. We wanted to elaborate further on the income side by asking about the ownership of their property whether it was rented or owned. However, the majority responded by owned which caused a low sensitivity in the desired result. On the other hand, the rate of infestation increased among bigger families which known to lower the income, 233 previously infected people said to live amongst a large family of more than four household members.
The rate of infection is primarily affected by personal hygiene. In our case, the type of hair and length which require more effort and care had a significant impact on both the prevalence and rate of infestation. In our study, the rate of infestation encompassed 59.8% in those with long hair and oily hair by 39.9%. In the analysis of data, the girls over twelve years of age in Sindh province of Pakistan indicated that infrequent bathing in summer was associated with higher rates of infestation in Sindh province which shows the importance of hygiene when it comes to lice [3].
The head infestation was found to be higher among females by 88.3% than males. Also, the transition of infection from an infected person to another was higher by 63.3% among their sisters, which means that P. capitis infection has a higher rate among females. This might be explained by the nature of females and their close contact with each other, unlike males they share their headscarf accessories [8]. Again this is also was seen in our results, sharing personal belongings had a higher rate of infestation by 71.2%. In many studies like the cross-sectional study that was conducted in the urban area of Athens in Greece. The overall infestation rate (5.30%) was mainly attributed to females, which manifested a higher rate (4.84%) than male children [9].
CONCLUSION
In summary, our study found out that among people who are affected by pediculosis capitis in Makkah region were mostly female. Other risk factors were the frequency of hair washing, type, and length of hair, a high number of family members, sharing personal belongings, beds, and transition of infestation between family members, in addition to employment and socioeconomic status. The results that gathered here, using a questioner reflected a lower sensitivity of this technique in relation to direct scalp examination, microscopic examination for nets, and taking hair samples from barbershops. We expect for future research to put that in consideration, also to establish the prevalence of pediculosis capitis in Saudi Arabia as well as launching educational campaigns in schools, hospitals, and public areas to increase the awareness hopefully to prevent and control head lice.
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Notes
Source of Support: Nil
Conflict of Interest: None declared.
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