Faculty of Nursing, al-Bayt University, Jordan.
East Mediterr Health J. 2012 Jan;18(1):43-8. doi: 10.26719/2012.18.1.43.
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.
头虱病（头虱感染）是一个全球性的公共卫生问题，主要影响小学生。在 2009/2010 年的一项横断面研究中，对约旦马弗拉克省 1550 名随机选择的小学生进行了头虱病的流行情况和一些感染因素的调查。头虱病的患病率为 26.6%。女生（34.7%）和男生（19.6%）、农村（31.2%）和城市（23.5%）居民、以及过去一年有感染史（57.4%）与无感染史（11.5%）之间，以及不同年龄、家庭规模和收入的儿童之间（P<0.001），头虱病的患病率存在显著差异。头发较长、缺乏洗浴设施、洗发和洗澡频率较低以及共用物品（如梳子、围巾）与感染显著相关（P<0.001）。感染率高于约旦以前研究报告的感染率（<14%）。需要开展相关项目，提高对头虱病的认识，增强个人良好卫生习惯的重要性。
