Prevalence of Pediculus humunus capitis, Pediculus humanus corporis, and Pthirus pubis in Al-Kut, Iraq

Lice infestations or pediculosis occurs throughout the world and is caused by Pediculus humunus capitis (head louse), Pediculus humanus corporis (body louse), and Pthirus pubis (crab louse). This study was conducted within March-October ۲۰۲۰ and aimed to investigate the presence of human lice among ۱,۶۳۲ individuals from ۲۲۵ families living at different economic and social levels in AL-Kut city, Iraq, and its suburbs (urban, rural, and slum areas). Data collection was performed on volunteer families by completing survey forms and visual examinations. The families were divided by the number of members into ۱۰-۱۵, ۷-۹, ۴-۶, and ۳-۲ persons, for which, the infestation rates were estimated at ۲۴.۲%, ۲۱.۴%, ۱۲.۵%, and ۸.۶%, respectively. Moreover, in this study, urban, rural, and slum areas were infected at ۱۱.۵%, ۳۳.۶%, and ۲۱.۶ %, respectively. The infestation appeared in all ages, and the higher and lowest rates were obtained for the age ranges of ۳-۱۷ and ۱۸-۴۰ years old (۷۹.۰۴% and ۲۰.۹%), respectively. Based on the results, the rates of infestation were ۲۱.۸% and ۱۳.۳% in females and males, respectively. The findings of this study showed that the infection rate of Pediculus humanus corporis among the subjects aged ۴-۲۴ years old was ۱۱.۰% and that of Pthirus pubis was ۳.۰% in the cases aging ۱۴-۳۲ years old. Due to the high infestation with ectoparasites in these areas and large families, it is highly important to create conditions for health and provide information to control and prevent infection.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pediculus humuns capitis ، Pediculus humuns corporis ، Pediculus Phthirus pubis