Dataset Information

Changing Demographics and Prevalence of Body Lice among Homeless Persons, Marseille, France.

ABSTRACT: The prevalence of body lice among 2,288 sheltered homeless persons in the city of Marseille during 2000-2017 was 12.2% and significantly decreased over time. We report a positive association between body lice infestations and older age, duration of stays in France for migrants, frequent consumption of alcohol, and tobacco smoking.

SUBMITTER: Ly TDA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5652409 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Changing Demographics and Prevalence of Body Lice among Homeless Persons, Marseille, France.

Ly Tran Duc Anh TDA Touré Youssoupha Y Calloix Clément C Badiaga Sékéné S Raoult Didier D Tissot-Dupont Hervé H Brouqui Philippe P Gautret Philippe P

Emerging infectious diseases 20171101 11

The prevalence of body lice among 2,288 sheltered homeless persons in the city of Marseille during 2000-2017 was 12.2% and significantly decreased over time. We report a positive association between body lice infestations and older age, duration of stays in France for migrants, frequent consumption of alcohol, and tobacco smoking. ...[more]

PMID: 29048280

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Project description:BackgroundHomeless people are known to suffer disproportionately with health problems that reduce physical functioning and quality of life, and shorten life expectancy. They suffer from a wide range of diseases that are known to be painful, but little information is available about the nature and prevalence of chronic pain in this vulnerable group. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain among homeless people, and to examine its location, effect on activities of daily living, and relationship with alcohol and drugs.MethodsWe conducted face-to-face interviews with users of homeless shelters in four major cities in the United Kingdom, in the winters of 2009-11. Participants completed the Brief Pain Inventory, Short Form McGill Pain questionnaire, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, and detailed their intake of prescribed and unprescribed medications and alcohol. We also recorded each participant's reasons for homelessness, and whether they slept rough or in shelters.FindingsOf 168 shelter users approached, 150 (89.3%) participated: 93 participants (63%) reported experiencing pain lasting longer than three months; the mean duration of pain experienced was 82.2 months. The lower limbs were most frequently affected. Opioids appeared to afford a degree of analgesia for some, but whilst many reported symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain, very few were taking anti-neuropathic drugs.InterpretationThe prevalence of chronic pain in the homeless appears to be substantially higher than the general population, is poorly controlled, and adversely affects general activity, walking and sleeping. It is hard to discern whether chronic pain is a cause or effect of homelessness, or both. Pain is a symptom, but in this challenging group it might not always be possible to treat the underlying cause. Exploring the diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain may offer a means of improving the quality of these vulnerable people's lives.

Dataset Information

Changing Demographics and Prevalence of Body Lice among Homeless Persons, Marseille, France.

Publications

Changing Demographics and Prevalence of Body Lice among Homeless Persons, Marseille, France.

Similar Datasets

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