Epidemiology of pediculosis capitis in female primary school pupils Qom. 2003

Introduction: Schools, especially primary schools are places which have the main role for starting an epidemic of pediculosis. In this survey, we studied the prevalence of head lice (pediculosis capitis) contamination among primary school girls of Qom city during the winter of 2003. Methods: In this descriptive study, a total of 1650 cases from 49458 elementary school girls were selected randomly and examined by direct observation of scalp hair, especially behind the neck and ears to find nit, nymph or adult louse. Then related questionnaires were filled out by asking students and their teachers. The results were presented by means of descriptive methods and the main factors were examined by means of Chi-square test. Results: The results showed that 74 students were infected and 131 cases had a history of contamination with head lice or nit. The infection rate was 4.5% with a peak of 7.4% in 4th grade. According to the national pediculosis association of USA, which defines an epidemic when 5% or more of students are infected, the status of primary school girls infection in the Qom city is near the epidemic condition. Analysis of the results using X2 test showed that pediculosis has a significant relation to: education and job of mother, family size, grades of student, previous records of infection to lice, length of hair, common use of personal equipment, and kind of residence place (p<0.05). It has a non-significant relation to education and job of father, presence or absence of bathroom in houses, and doing the personal health care by students. Conclusion: Relatively high prevalence of head lice in Qom primary schools highlights the need for more cooperation between the city education authorities and health centers