Prevalence of Head Lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) among Primary School Children in Baghdad Suburbs

Abstract

A cross-sectional school-based study was performed with the objectives to determine the prevalence of head
lice infestation among primary schools in Baghdad suburbs (Abu Ghraib, Al-Yousifiya, Al-Radwaniyah,
Al-Al-Taji, and Al-Hussainiya). The study included examination of 920 male and female students in several
elementary schools’ class first to sixth (age 6-15 year). These schools include urban, rural, and economically
and culturally diverse regions for the period from February to June 2018. The results of the current study
showed that the total injury rate was 9%, and the Radwaniyah region recorded the highest infection rate of
13.2 and the Al-Al-Taji rejoin region recorded the lowest (6.1%). The female infection rate was greater than
that of males and reached 12.3 and 5.6 respectively. The results indicated a significant relationship between
the spread of head lice and the educational status of parents, sharing of the head comb, and infection with
dandruff.