Prevalence of pediculosis capitis and determination of risk factors in primary-school children in Kerman

Abstract

This descriptive, analytical study was carried out in 2003 to determine the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and some risk factors among primary-school pupils in Kerman. We selected 1200 pupils [‎53% girls]‎ from 50 primary schools by multistage, systematic random sampling. Their hair was examined for head louse infestation: 45 [‎3.8%]‎ were infected with lice, 43 [‎95.5%]‎ girls and 2 [‎4.5%]‎ boys. The highest rate of infestation was in 9-year-olds. There was a significant relationship between head louse infestation and sex [‎P < 0.0001]‎, age [‎P < 0.05]‎, parents' education [‎P < 0.0001]‎, father's job [‎P < 0.01]‎, family size [‎P < 0.01]‎, length of hair [‎P < 0.0001]‎ and having separate bathing facilities in the house [‎P < 0.0001]‎