Investigating the relationship between epidemiological factors and the prevalence of head lice infestation (Pediculus capitis) in girls' primary schools in Kabudarahang County

Davari, Behroz; Alizadeh, Yusuf; Nasirian, Hassan; Zahirnia, Amir Hossein; Salehzadeh, Arefeh; Mohammadi, Younes; Davari, Bahar

doi:10.22034/26.4.97

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Volume 26, Issue 4 (Winter 2024)

EBNESINA 2024, 26(4): 97-105

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Investigating the relationship between epidemiological factors and the prevalence of head lice infestation (Pediculus capitis) in girls' primary schools in Kabudarahang County

Behroz Davari

, Yusuf Alizadeh

, Hassan Nasirian ^*

, Amir Hossein Zahirnia

, Arefeh Salehzadeh

, Younes Mohammadi

, Bahar Davari

Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , hanasirian@yahoo.com

Keywords: Head Lice, Epidemiologic Studies, Prevalence

Full-Text [PDF 1476 kb] (225 Downloads) | Abstract (HTML) (648 Views)

Type of Study: Original |
Received: 2024/09/22 | Revised: 2025/03/12 | Accepted: 2024/10/21 | Published: 2024/12/21

Extended Abstract: (268 Views)

Introduction

A healthy population is a vital asset for the development and progress of any country. Health issues within a society can significantly hinder its well-being and vitality. Among the various threats to public health are parasitic infections, particularly infestations by external parasites such as head lice [1, 2]. Head lice are obligate ectoparasites that primarily spread through direct contact [3] and rely on human hosts for survival. Factors such as unfavorable socio-economic conditions, high population density, low living standards, poor hygiene, and gender contribute to the transmission of head lice [4]. Infestations of head lice are a global health concern, affecting both developed and developing countries [6]. In Iran, factors such as rapid population growth, marginalization, and the establishment of satellite towns with limited healthcare facilities contribute to the spread of head lice [7]. While numerous studies have explored the epidemiological factors influencing head lice prevalence in elementary schools, limited research has focused on the impacts of these factors [9]. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between epidemiological factors and the prevalence of head lice in girls' elementary schools in Kabudarahang County during the academic year 2022-2023. By examining these factors, this study seeks to highlight the significance and correlation between epidemiological factors and head lice prevalence.

Methods

This study was conducted as an observational cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of female elementary school students in Kabudarahang city. A total of 1,427 female elementary school students present in the class were examined. The checklist used included questions about the students' age, gender, educational level, parental education level, household size, frequency of bathing per week, personal comb usage, previous history of illness, and the type and condition of the students' hair. This information was gathered from the students' files or through direct questioning. The diagnosis of infection was based on standard criteria outlined in the "Handbook for Combating Lice in Schools in the Treatment of Pediculosis," published by the Deputy Health Office of the Ministry of Health, Medical Education, and Health. In this study, the epidemiological factors affecting the prevalence of head lice were analized. The Chi-square test in SPSS software was used for data analysis, with a significance level set at less than 0.05 for all analyses.

Results

In this study, 272 students were identified as infected with head lice, resulting in a prevalence rate of 19.1%. The lowest prevalence was observed in the age group of twelve (10.7%), while the highest was in the age group of eleven (34.7%). The statistically significant differences were found among students aged 7-12 (grades 1 to 6), parental education level, household size, personal comb usage, weekly bathing frequency, and previous history of disease regarding head lice incidence (p<0.05). Additionally, there was no significant effect of the size, condition, and type of hair on head lice incidence.

Discussion and Conclusion

The prevalence of head lice was found to be 19.1%. Compared to other studies, this prevalence falls within the reported values in Iran, including 13.3% in Qom (2016), 12.4% in Mishkinshahr (2018), 13.6% in Mashhad (2018), 10.5% in Doroud (2017), and 17.8% in Qahavand (2017) [10]. Previous studies have reported higher prevalence rates in primary school students, such as 29.4% in Qom (2016) and 28.9% in Karun (2017) [7, 8]. In Argentina, the prevalence of head lice was reported to be 42.7%, with 28.4% in boys and 53.6% in girls [11]. The results of this study suggest that the incidence of head lice is influenced by factors such as students’ age, parents’ educational level, personal hygiene practices, and previous history of the disease among students. Factors associated with a higher incidence of head lice include lower parental education and the absence of personal comb usage. Conversely, factors associated with a lower incidence of head lice include higher parental education, more frequent bathing, and no previous history of the disease among students. Increasing the educational level of both parents and students can significantly promote self-care literacy and help prevent head lice infestations. School health educators should prioritize educating students to enhance their self-care literacy. Furthermore, providing educational programs for parents and teachers on head lice transmission, risk factors, early detection, and management strategies can help raise public health awareness and improve overall health outcomes.

Ethical Considerations

This article presents findings from the second author's thesis, which was approved by Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The research was also approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, under code IR.UMSHA.REC.1401.700. The study participation form was completed by all parents. Educational classes were organized to inform and engage the parents of students participating in the project at the designated schools. In the event of a positive case of head lice among the students, only the direct supervisor and the student’s parents were notified.

Funding

This research received financial support from the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences with code 140109298598.

Authors’ Contribution

Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.

Conflict of Interest

Authors declared no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants in this study.

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Davari B, Alizadeh Y, Nasirian H, Zahirnia A H, Salehzadeh A, Mohammadi Y et al . Investigating the relationship between epidemiological factors and the prevalence of head lice infestation (Pediculus capitis) in girls' primary schools in Kabudarahang County. EBNESINA 2024; 26 (4) :97-105
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