Prevalence of pediculosis and scabies in preschool nursery children of Afyon, Turkey

Abstract

Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendencyof high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conducta head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, cross-sectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical exam-ination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%)with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children withmothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and socio-cultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health ofpreschool age children.