Abstract
Introducción. La pediculosis capitis es una dermatosis que afecta el pelo y el cuero cabelludo; esta es causada por el ectoparásito Pediculus humanus capitis. La infestación presenta una distribución mundial y en su mayoría afecta a la población infantil.Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia y las variables asociadas a la pediculosis capitis en un hogar infantil de Popayán, Colombia.Materiales y métodos. Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 148 niños entre 1 y 5 años. Solo se examinó la cabeza y se realizó la remoción mecánica de liendres, ninfas y piojos adultos por medio de peines liendrera con el pelo húmedo siguiendo las áreas frontotemporal, parietooccipital, región mastoidea y nuca. Cada padre de familia o tutor a cargo diligenció un consentimiento informado y respondió una encuesta estructurada.Resultados. La prevalencia de pediculosis capitis en la población infantil estudiada fue del 11.5%. Las variables asociadas a la ectoparasitosis fueron sexo femenino, pelo largo (>3cm) y prurito del cuero cabelludo.Conclusiones. La pediculosis capitis está presente y se perpetúa en niños de Popayán. Se recomienda realizar campañas de promoción, prevención y desparasitación.
Highlights
Pediculosis capitis is a skin disease that affects the hair and scalp, and is caused by the Pediculus humanus capitis ectoparasite
This study found an association of pediculosis capitis with long hair
The results of this study suggest that P. capitis in Popayán children is present and tends to be perpetuated, which is evident the three local studies (2001, 2006 and the present)
Summary
Pediculosis capitis is a skin disease that affects the hair and scalp, and is caused by the Pediculus humanus capitis ectoparasite. Most cases are found in children between 3 and 11 years of age, more frequently among women than in men [1,2] This infestation is caused by the hematophagous insect Pediculus humanus capitis (known as head louse), order Phthiraptera, suborder Anoplura and family Pediculidae. P. capitis is considered as a vector of infectious agents such as Rickettsia prowazekii (typhus epidemic), Bartonella quintana (trench fever), Borrelia recurrentis (recurrent epidemic fever), Yersinia pestis (plague) and Acinetobacter baumannii [7,8] Likewise, complications such as allergies, severe anemia [9] and superinfections [10] have been reported in infested individuals, while resistance to pediculicides has been documented in several regions around the world [11,12]. This ectoparasitosis prevails in the population, harming school performance in those affected, and generating anguish within the family and the community
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