Author/Authors :
Rahmati Roodsari, Mohammad shahid beheshti university - Loghman-e-Hakim Hospital - Department of Dermatology and Skin Research Center, تهران, ايران , Malekzad, Farhad shahid beheshti university - Loghman-e-Hakim Hospital - Department of Dermatology and Skin Research Center, تهران, ايران , Ebrahimzadeh Ardakani, Mohammad shahid beheshti university - Loghman-e-Hakim Hospital - Department of Dermatology and Skin Research Center, تهران, ايران , Abbasi Alai, Behrooz shahid beheshti university - Loghman-e-Hakim Hospital - Department of Dermatology and Skin Research Center, تهران, ايران , Ghoraishian, Mohammed shahid beheshti university - Loghman-e-Hakim Hospital - Department of Dermatology and Skin Research Center, تهران, ايران
Abstract :
Background Pediculosis and scabies are infectious diseases that can spread in overcrowded places like prison, and pose a lot of sanitary difficulties in public places. Objectives To determine the prevalence of these diseases in Ghezel Hesar prison in Iran (male prison). Patients and methods It was a descriptive study on 1404 prisoners in Ghezel Hesar prison in 2004. These prisoners were screened for scabies and pediculosis by two dermatologists Results Of 1404 prisoners, 31 (2.2%) were infested by scabies and 12 (0.9%) with body pediculosis. There were no cases of scalp and pubis pediculosis. All cases were male (male prison). All prisoners with scabies and 83% of the prisoners with pediculosis had intense pruritus. There was a significant relation between the duration of imprisonment and these diseases. Pediculosis and scabies were more prevalent amongst new prisoners (p 0.001). Similarly, scabies was more prevalent in overcrowded cells. In pediculosis group there were more addicted prisoners (p 0.01). Conclusion We recommend that examining the new prisoners for scabies and pediculosis by a dermatologist or a trained doctor could help reduce the spread of these diseases
