Head Lice among Governmental Primary School Students in Southern Jordan: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Abstract

Background:Head lice, a common social and health problem among all age groups, is especially widespread among school-aged children.Aims:This study aimed to assess the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among governmental primary school students in Southern Jordan and its related risk factors.Settings and Design:A sample of 500 primary schools students aged 6–12 from two male and two female public primary schools in four educational directorates were selected randomly in this cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods:Data were collected using a modified questionnaire that was completed by the students with the help of their parents. Students were then asked to return the questionnaire a day ahead of the examination date with a signed consent from the parents.Statistical Analysis:SPSS software was used with Chi-square testing to study the significant relationship between lice infestation prevalence and the independent variables. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.Results and Conclusion:The overall prevalence of lice infestation was 20.4% and was significantly higher among girls than boys. The prevalence rate was higher among rural residents, those living in shared rooms, families with a monthly income of <200 Jordanian Dinar, illiterate father and mother, those living in families with more than five members, houses with fewer than three rooms, students with longer hair, those with a history of infestation in the previous year, and students who share home articles with other family members. Female gender, low socioeconomic status, a history of contact, inadequate hygiene practices, and sharing articles were the major risk factors.

Association of Sociodemographic, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice with Pediculosis Capitis

“…The results of this study is not much different from the research conducted by Karimah et al (2016) in elementary school children in Jatinangor by 55.3% [10]. But Different to the results of research in elementary school children in South Jordan by Khamaiseh (2018) was 20.4% [11]. In another study by Assaedi et al (2018) showed that the infestation was 64.2% [12].…”

“…In this study, there was significant association between age and pediculosis capitis (p<0.001). Khamaiseh (2018) also found a significant association between age and pediculosis capitis with p value = 0.046 [11]. So was the study of Tohit et al (2017) with p value = 0.001 [16].…”

Pediculosis capitis in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Epidemiological profile and associated risk factors

“…These results are in line of those reported from some areas of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria ( Ebomoyi, 1988 , Ebomoyi, 1994 ; Okoh and Alikor, 2013 ; Salehi et al, 2014 ). However, highest prevalences have been reported in Africa ( Morsy et al, 2001 ; Sangaré et al, 2015 ) and other parts of the world ( Khamaiseh, 2018 ; Lye et al, 2017 ; Nejati et al, 2018 ; Shirvani et al, 2013 ). This variation in infestation rate between localities might be explained by many efforts, such as lice control policy, eradication strategies, number of head-to-head contacts, personal hygiene, promiscuity, socio-economic status ( Rassami and Soonwera, 2012 ; Salehi et al, 2014 ).…”

Prevalence, incidence, clinical manifestations and factors associated with pediculosis capitis in nursery school children of a low-income area from Colombia

“…In Southern Jordan [24], the prevalence of lice infestation was 20.4 % in similar population (481 school students aged 6-12 years). The major risk factors were female gender (50.5 %), Universidad de Manizales -Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud low socioeconomic status, inadequate hygiene practices and sharing personal articles.…”