Effective health education program on reduction of tinea capitis; a quasi-experimental study on primary school-aged children

ABSTRACT

This study intends to evaluate the effect of health education program on healthy behavior and tinea capitis in Chabahar primary school-aged boys. For this quasi-experimental [case-control] study, two primary schools were randomly selected in Chabahar, south-eastern of Iran. Initial data of 115 students were gathered using a well-prepared questionnaire, by means of a check list and a thorough clinical examination. Meanwhile, scalp and hair samples [direct slide exam and culture] were assessed. Subjects of the experimental [case] group had received necessary educations for one month after which both groups were evaluated 2 months later. Totally, 20% and 18.3% of cases and controls were infected before conducting the educational program, respectively, however, following the education only 5.5% of cases were remained infected [p=0.008]. pre- and post-education infection rate did not differ significantly. Our results showed that health education program had a positive effect on reduction of tinea capitis among prepubescent boys