Background: dermatological infections constitute the most common health problem in the homeless population. Objectives To estimate the prevalences of scabies and pediculosis corporis and to identify associated factors in the homeless population. Methods: two randomized cross-sectional surveys were performed, one on the homeless population sleeping in public places in Paris, and the other on the homeless population in various shelters in the Ile-de-France administrative region. Overall 341 and 667 people, respectively, were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and hygiene practices, and were exam¬ined by a nurse. Results: in individuals sleeping in public places the prevalence of scabies was esti¬mated at 65% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 12.5] and for pediculosis cor¬poris at 5.4% (95% CI 1.7 9.1). For those sleeping in shelters these values were 04% (95% CI 0.1 1.8) and 015% (95% CI 0.0 9.7), respectively (P < 001 in both cases). In public places, after multivariate analysis, being a woman, citing squats among the three main types of accommodation and not possessing a sleeping bag were significantly associated with diagnosis of scabies. Likewise, begging, a history of pubic lice, and not taking showers in municipal baths were associated with pediculosis corporis in public places. Conclusions: firstly, this study highlights the real existence of two distinct subpopu¬lations having different sociodemographic characteristics, with specific lifestyles and practices, and with different prevalences of ectoparasitism. Secondly, the results of the multivariate analyses will help the implementation of specific actions targeting the group of people who sleep in public places.
Auteur : Arnaud A, Chosidow O, Detrez MA, Bitar D, Huber F, Foulet F, Le Strat Y, Vandentorren S
British Journal of Dermatology, 2016, vol. 174, n°. 1, p. 104-12
