title: Pediculosis capitis among primary-school children in Mafraq Governorate, Jordan.
abstract: Pediculosis capitis (head lice infestation) is a worldwide public health concern affecting mostly primary-school children. In a cross-sectional study in 2009/2010, the prevalence of pediculosis capitis and some risk factors for infestation were investigated among 1550 randomly selected primary-school children in Mafraq governorate, Jordan. The prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 26.6%. There were significant differences in the prevalence between girls (34.7%) and boys (19.6%), rural (31.2%) and urban (23.5%) residents, and history of infestation in the previous year (57.4%) versus no history (11.5%), as well as between children of different ages, family size and income (P<0.001). Longer hair length, lack of bathing facilities, low frequency of hair-washing and bathing, and sharing of articles (e.g. combs, scarves) were significantly associated with infestation (P<0.001). The prevalence of infestation was higher than reported in previous studies in Jordan (< 14%). Programmes are needed to increase awareness of pediculosis capitis and the importance of good personal hygiene.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, al-Bayt University, Jordan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: AlBashtawy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hasna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D010374:Pediculus; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control