Prevalence study of head lice among pupils in some primary schools in Kirkuk city and its effects in some of the hematological and biochemical parameters

Abstract

The present study included the examination of 1130 pupils (828 girls, 302 boys) from 16 primary schools of different economic and social levels in Kirkuk city for the identification of head lice during period from the April 2008 to the end of April 2009 .The study showed that the high prevalence of head lice among the studied population 20%. All cases of head lice infestation were among girls, 226 out of 828 with rate of infestation rate of 27.29%. The highest rate was among age groups of 8-9 years which was 7.61% followed by the age group of 10-12 years which was 6.37% and the lowest was among the age group of 6-7 years old which was 6.0 Regarding the level of education the prevalence infestation was higher among girls with uneducated mothers 10.97% than educated ones 9.02%.There was clear relationship between the number of family members and prevalence of head lice as it was higher 7.61% among families with (5 members and above) than those with less members (less than 5) 2.47%. Regarding the relationship between the length of the hair and the prevalence of the infestation was higher in schoolgirls with long hair10.7%, than those with short hair 9.2%.With respect to the texture of hair the rate was higher is straight hair 17.3% than curly hair 2.65 %. Concerning the hair thickness, the rate of infestation was higher among thick hair 14.15% than thin type 5.84% There was a significant difference in the results of hemoglobin and packed Cell Volume for girls living with head lice as compared to control group while there was no significant in total white blood cells count. There was a clear relationship between the rate of head lice infestation and blood group. It was noted that there was no significant differences in the level of protein, albumin, and globulin, between infested and non-infested groups.