02431nas a2200241 4500008004100000245009600041210006900137300001500206490000700221520165200228653001301880653002401893653001701917100001801934700001801952700002701970700002501997700002402022700002502046700002802071700002902099856006102128 2018 eng d00aPrevalence and Risk Factors of Pediculosis in Primary School Children in South West of Iran0 aPrevalence and Risk Factors of Pediculosis in Primary School Chi a1923 -19290 v473 a

Background: Pediculosis or louse infestation is a public health problem in many developing countries where the WHO`s primary health-care program is inefficient and haphazard. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Pediculus capitis infestation and its related risk factors in the primary school children in Andimeshk, Dezful and Shoosh counties; Khuzestan Province, Iran.
Methods: Overall, 28410 students in the age range of 7-11 years old in primary schools of North of Khuzestan Province, southern Iran were examined individually and privately under the flash light for all life cycle stages of lice or their nits in 2016. A questionnaire was filled for each school child before hair examination; then examination was carried out to detect head lice as well as eggs/nits.
Results: Overall, 2995 students (10.5%) were infested with pediculosis. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of pediculosis among the boys and girls students. The prevalence of infestation was also significantly (P<0.05) higher in students of living in nomad tribes (23.8%) in comparison of rural (12.4%) and urban areas (6.5%). Conclusion: Several risk factors significantly (P<0.05) related to pediculosis included gender of female, nomad habitat, parents education, father's occupation, having health staff, history of infestation and number of comb- ing per day. Increasing awareness and training of teachers and relatives, as well as for improving standards of personal health, can significantly reduce the prevalence of pediculosis.

10aChildren10aPediculosis capitis10arisk factors1 aNejati, Jalil1 aKeyhani, Amir1 aTavakoli_Kareshk, Amir1 aMahmoudvand, Hossein1 aSaghafipour, Abedin1 aKhoraminasab, Maryam1 aTavakoli_Oliaee, Razieh1 aMousavi, Seyed, Mohammad uhttp://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/15521