Study of Prevalence and Risk Factors of Pediculosis among Primary School Students in Babylon Province

Background: Pediculosis considered permanent illness that infesting hair of man which caused by ectoparasite known as Pediculus humans capitis. Objectives: The present study was reported to estimate the incidence in Babylon and to clarify the main risk factors which related with spread of pediculosis among primary school students. Methods: This study was conducted during the period from October, 2023- Jun 2024 in Babylon province. From several primary school students aged (6-13 years),750 students (male and female) were examined for the presence of P. capitis. Results: The overall infestation rate with pediculosis among primary school students was (10%) (75/750) and was raised significantly in females (14.2 %) than in males (5.47 %). The highest infestation was (12.05%) among (10 -13) age group and lowest (7.7 %) in (6- 9) age group and there was a significant variation between two age groups p-value< 0.05. The results reveal to significant relationship between pediculosis infestation with some risk factors like as level of parent’s education, residency, economic status and crowded in the classrooms while the rate of infestation related with hair longevity of girl reported no significant change p-value>0.05. Conclusion: Present study showed high prevalent rate of pediculosis among students in primary school. The results revealed that rural areas, long hair, uneducated parent, economic status and overcrowding classroom were the risk factors for the increase of pediculosis infestation within primary school students.