nationwide survey of prevalence of pediculosis in children and adolescents in Iran

Since 2005, pediculosis is one of the obligatory reportable diseases from community to the Center of Disease Control. This study is the first nationwide survey on the prevalence of pediculosis and some associated risk factors in Iranian children and adolescents. National data of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education were gathered in 2005 through school screening programs and obligatory reports from the country health centers. 12,359,448 Iranian children and adolescents were screened in 2005. Overall, 213,450 students, consisting of 198,947 girls and 14,320 boys were reported have pediculosis. The prevalence of pediculosis was 581 per 100,000 population that varied from 1/100 000 to 8,303/100,000. In general, the highest prevalence of pediculosis was documented in south-eastern cities. The prevalence of pediculosis was significantly higher in girls than in boys [93% vs. 7%, respectively, p<0.0001]. In both genders, the highest prevalence of pediculosis was documented in the 6-10- year age group. Of those infected, 62% lived in rural areas, and 32% of those infected with pediculosis had a previous history of this infection. Most [99.37%] infected individuals had head lice, the rest had body and public pediculosis. The prevalence of pediculosis is low in Iranian children and adolescents, but this infestation is still a health problem in some south-eastern cities with warm climate and low to middle socioeconomic status

Prevalence of HCV infection and related risk factors among patients on hemodialysis in Qazvin

Background: Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is common among patients undergoing hemodialysis, and chronic liver disease is an important cause of mortality in this population

Objective: This study was conducted in 2000 to investigate the prevalence of HCV infection and associated risk factors among patients on hemodialysis in Qazvin

Methods: In this case series study 68 patients on hemodialysis in Qazvin were selected randomly and all were checked for anti-HCV antibodies, using ELISA 2[nd] and confirmed using RIBA 2[nd]

Findings: 16 patients [23.9%] were infected. Patients' sex, educational level, history of upper GI endoscopy and previous renal transplantation had no impact on HCV infection rate, but blood transfusion was an important risk factor for HCV infection [P=0.02]. The more units transfused, the greater rate of HCV infection was reported [P=0.003]. Moreover,the mean time of hemodialysis was significantly longer in HCV Ab positive cases [P=0.007]

Conclusion: It seems that early transplantation and avoidance of blood transfusion as much as possible- forexample by using erithropoietin are the two most important practical interventions to reduce HCV exposure rate in patients on hemodialysis