The prevalence of pediculosis capitis and its associated risk factors in primary schools of girls in rural district

Pediculosis capitis is one of the prevalent infections in all ages and has a worldwide distribution. Pediculosis capitis is common in collective centers such as schools، garrisons، and campuses; and in schools، especially in female elementary ones، it is dramatically high. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Pediculosis capitis and its associated risk factors in feminine primary schools of rural districts of Qom province in 2011. This descriptive–analytic study was performed on 900 female elementary students from 45 schools in rural districts of Qom province by a multi-stage random sampling. Data collection was done by questionnaires and physical examination of the hairs. Analysis was done by Chi-square and Multiple logistic regressions model tests، using SPSS software. 120 of 900 students (%13. 3) were infected by pediculosis. A statistical significant correlation was observed between Pediculosis capitis and residence، fathers’ occupation and his education level، mothers’ education level، and the number of family individuals. In addition، this significant relationship was observed between Pediculosis capitis and each of these factors: bath at home، bath times، daily comb، history of Pediculosis capitis، presence or absence of health educators in school، access or no access to primary health services (P<0. 05). The high prevalence of pediculosis capitis among students in the majority of schools in Qom province is attributable to inadequate access to health educators، sanitation facilities، inattention to personal health، and other related factors. Thus، personal health، education about morbidity and control of the disease، and sanitation facilities can have an important role to reduce pediculosis capitis and its complications.