Knowledge and Practice of Primary School Teachers Regarding Pediculosis Capitis in Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Abstract Background: Pediculosis is a disease which is caused by the ectoparasite Pediculus humanus capitis. There is an estimated 19% global prevalence of head lice infestation among schoolchildren. Health education programs have a beneficial impact on the prevention and control of the disease. Increasing knowledge, changing attitudes and behaviors, and improving personal hygiene practices reduce the morbidity and prevalence of pediculosis capitis. Aim of Study: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and practice of primary school teachers about pediculosis capitis and to find the association of studied variables with knowledge and practice scores. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 primary schools in Baghdad, Iraq, from November 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. It included 351 primary school teachers who had worked for at least 1 year. A questionnaire was distributed to teachers at selected schools for assessment of knowledge and practice. Results: In this study, 20.5% of studied cases had poor knowledge, 58% had fair and 21.5% had good knowledge. Regarding practice level, 43% of studied cases had poor, 37% had fair and 20% had good practice about pediculosis capitis. Poor knowledge and poor practice are significantly higher among participants with an institute level of education and lower duration of work, among singles, those who did not have children who had arts or sports specialties, and those who did not have pediculosis capitis cases. A strong positive correlation was noticed between knowledge and practice scores. Conclusion: The knowledge scores were fair, while the practice scores were poor. Multiple sources are considered a major source of information. There is no association between the gender of the participant and the level of knowledge and practice parameters.