Prevalence of Pediculosis and Associated Risk Factors in the Girls primary School in Azadshahr City, Golestan Province, 2012-2013

Background and purpose: Pediculosis (Pediculus capitis) is a worldwide public health concern that affects mostly on primary school-aged children. This descriptive study was performed to determine the prevalence of pediculosis and some risk factors among girls primary school in Azadshahr city, Golestan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 1510 girls were selected from primary schools of Azadshahr from first to sixth grade. Data were collected from the selected schools by one trained nursing inspector. A questionnaire was filled for each school child prior to hair examination, then examination was carried out to detect head lice as well as eggs/nits. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows 16.0 and the chi-square test. Statistical significance was considered at the level of (P < 0.05). Results: Of 1510 primary school girls under investigation, 55 were infected with pediculosis with the average infection of 3.60%. The results showed significant variations in head lice infestation, and factors such as sharing instruments, personal health, parents educations, bathing facilities, hair length, family size, father profession, hair shape, health care employer (P < 0.05); while there was no significant variation in lice infestation when, frequency of mothers profession and hair shape (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Increasing awareness and training of teachers and parents, as well as improving standards of personal health can significantly reduce the prevalence of pediculosis.