Prevalence of pediculosis capitis and associated factors among schoolchildren in Woreta town, northwest Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the associated risk factors and prevalence of pediculosis capitis among school-aged children in Woreta town, northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 402 schoolchildren in Woreta town public schools from grades 1 to 4 students conducted from April to June 2018. After selection by simple random sampling, face to face interview and observations were performed using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI Info 7 and exported to SPSS 21 for further analysis. Descriptive results were presented by simple frequency, percentage, and mean. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Those variables with a p-value ≤ 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression were declared as significantly associated with pediculosis capitis infestation. RESULT: The prevalence of pediculosis capitis was 65.7% [95% CI 60.01-70.3%]. Sex of child, age of the child, maternal education, sharing hair comb, knowledge, and attitude towards pediculosis capitis infestation and hygiene practice were significantly associated with pediculosis (a p-value ≤ 0.05). Pediculosis infestation is found to be a major public health problem which demands special attention of the community and the government at large particularly the health sector to reduce the problem.