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. 2020 Aug 21;17(17):6086.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17176086.

Scabies and Pediculosis in Penitentiary Institutions in Poland-A Study of Ectoparasitoses in Confinement Conditions

Katarzyna Bartosik  1 , Andrzej Tytuła  2 , Zbigniew Zając  1 , Weronika Buczek  1 , Anita Jasztal-Kniażuk  2 , Paweł Szczepan Błaszkiewicz  1 , Adam Borzęcki  3
Affiliations

Scabies and Pediculosis in Penitentiary Institutions in Poland-A Study of Ectoparasitoses in Confinement Conditions

Katarzyna Bartosik et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Scabies (caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) and pediculosis (caused by Pediculus humanus) are infectious diseases common in educational institutions and long-term care centres. The aim of the study was to assess the scale of the phenomenon in confinement conditions favouring the spread of these parasitoses.

Methods: Data on the prevalence of scabies (2001-2015) and pediculosis (2008-2015) in Polish prisoners were provided by the Central Board of Prison Service. The information for the period between 2010 and 2015 in the Lublin Province was obtained from the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Lublin. Correlations between the prevalence of scabies and pediculosis and the number of prisoners were analysed, as well as correlations between the number of passes granted to prisoners and the prevalence of scabies and pediculosis in incarcerated individuals.

Results: The prevalence of scabies and pediculosis in Polish prisoners has been estimated at 2.3% and 1.9%, respectively.

Conclusions: Pediculosis and scabies are still current issues in Polish prisons. Convicts returning from passes and new prisoners should be carefully examined and monitored for the presence of S. scabiei var. hominis and P. humanus invasion. Education of prisoners could be a promising tool in prevention of scabies and pediculosis in correctional settings.

Keywords: Pediculus humanus; Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis; neglected parasitic diseases; pediculosis; prisoner’s health; scabies; social stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pediculus humanus (a) and Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis (b) (photographs by K. Bartosik).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study area at the national (Poland) and regional (Lublin Province) level, based on Wikimedia with our modifications.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Number of cases of scabies and pediculosis with trend lines in Polish prisoners: (a) scabies in 2001–2015, (b) pediculosis in 2008–2015 (source: annual information, Central Board of Prison Service).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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