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International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (IJPAB)
Year : 2019, Volume : 7, Issue : 1
First page : (35) Last page : (45)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7196

The Prevalence of Head Lice and Health Consequence of Their Medical Treatments among Female Students from Different Schools

Yasser El-Nahhal* and Samah Hammad

Dept of Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry,
Faculty of Science, The Islamic University-Gaza Palestine
*Corresponding Author E-mail: y_el_nahhal@hotmail.com
Received: 8.01.2019  |  Revised: 12.02.2019   |  Accepted: 17.02.2019  

 ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: Head lice infestation becomes a pressing problem around the world. This study characterized the prevalence of head lice and health consequences associated with their medical treatment among female students.
Materials and Methods: A cluster of five schools was selected randomly in nine locations in Gaza Strip. The abundance of head lice among students was determined manually using a special crown. Each female student was required to comb her hair five times over a white sheet of A4 paper. Each sheet was collected and coded by the name of the student and kept in covered plastic cups. The samples were transferred to the lab for analysis. The second part of the study included voluntarily collection of a 5 mL blood and urine sample.
Results: The highest prevalence of head lice (18%) among primary schools in the middle zone cluster, followed by Bait Lahia and Khan Younis clusters, whereas the lowest prevalence was found in the Gaza cluster (7.14%). Blood analysis showed an elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea levels and a reduction in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Pesticide residue analysis showed positive values in head lice patients who intensively used medical treatments.
Conclusion:  The results of this study showed that head lice medical treatment has health consequences.

Key words: head lice, Nymph, eggs, Health consequences, Density of insects, Medical treatment.

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: El-Nahhal, Y. and Hammad, S., The Prevalence of Head Lice and Health Consequence of Their Medical Treatments among Female Students from Different Schools, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci.7 (1): 35-45 (2019). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2320-7051.7196