Prevalence and factors of head lice infestation among primary school students in Northern Thailand

To survey the prevalence of head lice infestation among primary school students in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand from November 2015 to February 2016 and to investigate factors involving these infestations. A total of 703 students were checked for head lice infestations. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics i.e. frequencies, percentages and correlations [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI)]. The overall percentage of head lice infestations was 15.1%. No infestation was found in boy students. The prevalence of head lice infestation was significantly associated with itching on a scalp (OR = 5.206, 95% CI = 3.116–8.696), having dirty fingernails (OR = 2.019, 95% CI = 1.217–3.352), wearing dirty clothes (OR = 4.532, 95% CI = 1.651–12.438), having history of head lice infestations (OR = 3.998, 95% CI = 2.174–7.356) and family member having history of head lice infestations (OR = 1.997, 95% CI = 1.092–3.651). Pediculosis capitis is still public health problem in this region. Effective treatment is required to control this infestation in urgent.