ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of head lice in primary and middle school children in Asadabad, Iran. Methods: This study is an analytical descriptive cross-sectional one conducted among primary and middle school children in Asadabad during the academic year of 2013-2014. Data were collected at baseline via questionnaire, checklist and head examination. Results: A total of 600 students were examined (412 girls and 188 boys), and 14 students showed pediculosis. And the total prevalence rate was 2.3% (3.2% girls and 0.5% boys). The infestation was equal in public and private schools. The rate of pediculosis was higher in students of primary schools (4.0%) than those in middle schools (0.7%). The age of the students ranged from 6 to 14 years. The total number of infected group was 14 with mean age of 8.93 ± 2.43 years, and it was 586 with mean age of 10.98 ± 2.82 years for the uninfected group who were enrolled in the study (P 0.05). Conclusions: It is necessary to find the risk factors of the infection in order to understand how to control or decrease infection in students, considering the important role of health education in reduction of head lice infections.
ABSTRACT
The novel influenza A [H1N1] virus was first detected in March 2009 in Mexico and then disseminated to many other countries worldwide. In this study, we assessed the potential risk factors of swine flu as well as the most important clinical manifestations of this infectious disease among confirmed cases during early phase of pandemic H1N1. subjects [cases and controls] were selected from those patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infection who referred to health centers of eight cities throughout Hamedan Province, western Iran from July to December 2009. characteristics of the participants were obtained by interviewers using pre-determined questionnaire. Cases were distinguished by pharyngeal soap specimens positive for influenza A virus using polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Logistic regression model was conducted at 0.05 significance level using Stata 9.1 statistical software to assess the effects of various risk factors on H1N1 influenza infection. Totally, 245 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza were compared with 388 controls. Case fatality rate of influenza infection was about 2.86%. In comparison with age group of 1-9 yr old, adjusted odds ratio estimates was 1.91 [95% CI: 1.06, 3.46] for age group of 20-39 yr old, 0.94 [0.37, 2.38] for age group of 40-59 yr old, and 0.34 [0.09, 1.37] for age group of 60-79 yr old. Adjusted odds ratio estimates of influenza A infection was 8.12 [95% CI: 3.11, 21.6] for pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women; 1.84 [95% CI: 1.32, 2.86] for high educated individuals in comparison with low educated individuals; 2.11 [95% CI: 1.25, 3.57] for whose who had close contact with suspected influenza patients; and 2.15 [95% CI: 1.16, 3.98] for individuals with normal body mass index [BMI= 25-30] compared with underweight individuals [BMI< 20]. There were no significant differences in clinical manifestations between cases and controls. The risk of influenza A infection is highest among children and adolescents, pregnant women, high educated individuals, and those who had close contact with suspected influenza patients during pandemic phase. In addition, there is no pathogonomonic sign or symptom to distinguish influenza infection clinically from other kinds of respiratory track infections