Head lice in pupils of two primary schools in Baghdad

Abstract EN

Cross sectional study was conducted to evaluated the prevalence of head lice in 409 children from two primary schools located in the same area in Baghdad city but with different school environment and hygienic levels, and for the period form April-June 2000.

The study showed that there was significant and higher infestation rate (48.9%) in school two (with lower school environment and hygienic level) than in school one (9.4%), and significantly higher prevalence among females than among males 36.4%, 12.3% respectively (p<0.000001).

The infestation rate also increased with age to be 50% among children 12+ years old.

It was concluded that control strategies should be implemented in schools with emphasis on school environment as an important factor in the prevalence of head lice and also on education of teachers and parents.