الفهرس 
Introduction
Pediculosis capitis (Head louse)Only 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Pediculosis capitis is a contagious parasitic infestation, it is among the most frequently diagnosed skin conditions in school children in both developing and industrialized countries. The school environment makes children vulnerable to cross- transmission of communicable skin diseases, which can then be passed on to family members.
The prevalence and complications of pediculosis capitis make it a significant public health problem in the developing world including Egypt with disproportionate burden in children living in poor and over crowded tropical areas.
This cross-sectional community-based survey was designed:
To determine the prevalence and risk factors of pediculosis capitis among primary school children in Assiut city, Upper Egypt.
The research was carried out in 8 public primary schools in Assiut City. The sampling process included total coverage of the third and fifth grades in 8 schools applying systematic random sampling technique. The field work was conducted during the period from March to April and from November to December 2014.
The survey included 1784 pupils aged between 8-13 years old of both sexes. The data were collected through personal interview at school classes using these questionnaires:
1- Family, some house and classroom related questionnaire
2- Clinical examination questionnaire
The results were presented as follows:
- The prevalence rate of pediculosis capitis was about 21.1%.
- Age variation (limited) among studied pupils showed no statistical difference.
- In the studied group of pupils, females were more significantly affected (34.1%) than males (9.8%).
- The present data reported a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of head lice with increasing crowding index; crowding index with 3 or more persons per room was associated with the highest prevalence of infestation (84.2%) than 1 or 2 persons per room.
- Father’s job, father’s education, mother’s education, number of people who shared a bed (2 persons or more), using louse comb, sharing articles, contact with someone infested showed statistical significant impact as regards affection with pediculosis capitis.
- Smooth hair had a significantly higher prevalence of infestation (25.3%) than curly hair (14.6%).
- Mother’s job, number of baths per week, length of hair showed no statistical significant impact concerning affection with pediculosis capitis.
- Multiple logestic regression analysis revealed that contact with someone infested was the most significant predictor that affects head louse infestation among pupils (OR=22.971%) followed by female gender (OR= 4.564), then pupils who had three or more persons per room (OR= 4.017), two persons per room (OR= 2.415) then smooth hair (OR= 1.842) and lastly pupils who shared articles (OR= 1.337).