Eco-epidemiological factors' of Head Lice in 10-12 year-old girls in Birjand City in 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Lice are external  parasites found in all socioeconomic classes around the world, which infect millions of people, especially children aged 5-14 years. Considering the growing and epidemiological trend of head lice in recent years, despite careful health care, more prognosis is needed. Therefore, this study aimed to study eco-epidemiological factors of head lice in 10-12 year-old girls in Birjand City in 2017.

Methods: This cross-sectional study with descriptive-analytic approach was conducted in Birjand City in the 2017. The participants were selected using cluster sampling method from girl primary schools in Birjand City and its suburb areas. Data were entered into SPSS version 22 and analyzed by logistic regression test at significant level of 0.0.5

Results: Head lice was evaluated in 2417 elementary school girls. The prevalence of head lice infection was 13.6% (n=329) in the population. The prevalence of contamination in urban areas was two times higher than the suburb areas. Significant correlations were observed between head lice infestation and father's education, mother's education, parent's job, family income, nationality, presence of foreigners in a class, habitat, history of previous student infections, presence of an infected person in the family, use of common Chador (piece of cloth worn by Muslim women to cover their body and hair) for praying  at school. (p<0.05)

Conclusion: The prevalence of head lice infection in the present study was higher than other studies. The prevalence of head lice infection was also higher in the suburbs. So,  preventive measures, especially in the suburbs are required with regard to factors associated with infection by the health system.