Study of the prevalence of head lice infestation among school students and its effect on some blood tests, and a statement of the effect of five types of treatment on eliminating lice in Salah Al-Din Governorate
Keywords:
student’s primary schools, blood samples, Pediculus humanus, Phthirus pubisAbstract
The research was conducted in the city of Tikrit from the beginning of October 2022 until the end of May 2023. Head lice was searched among students in primary schools. Samples were taken from the students, and the scalp was examined to detect the presence of head lice infection. The study was conducted on the spread of lice in various areas of the city, and to find out the effect of (age, gender, hair texture, hair length) on the increase or decrease in the rate of infection. The results of the research showed a total head lice infection of 22.2%, after conducting the examination. On 1000 school students of varying ages (6-12) years, the number of head lice infections reached 220 cases, with a rate of 98.1% in females and 1.8% in males. The visual examination method was the method used to confirm infection and detect eggs (nits), nymphs, and adult lice. Lice and nits were found in the scalp area, around and behind the ear, as well as on the back of the head. For the purpose of confirming the examination and determining the presence of the infestation or not, plastic combs with fine teeth and combs with fine iron teeth were used to separate the lice eggs (nits) from the hair shafts. The infestation appeared in all age groups and reached the highest percentage among the age group (6 - 7) years. It was 38.9%, followed by (8-9) years with a rate of 31.5%, and (9-10) years with a rate of 22.5%, while the age group (10-11) reached 9%, and finally the age (11-12) years with the lowest infection rate. 4.5%.
The highest infection rate was recorded among females with long, thick hair, 42.1%, while those with short hair reached 4.1%. The highest overall infection rate was recorded in women with long, curly hair, 25.4%, and the lowest in women with long, curly hair, 9.7%. It was noted that there were differences in the results of the hemoglobin examination and the volume of compressed blood cells in females infected with head lice, compared to the control group and the non-infected students. Also, no difference was recorded in the white blood cell count compared to the control group. There is a clear relationship in infected people who carry the blood type O+, with lice infection the incidence was high among those with the blood group O+. The extent of the effect of five types of lotions used to treat lice, which were used on children infected with lice, was demonstrated, and the total percentage of lice killed was determined.
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