[Assessment of head problem: a study of female primary school children in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia]

ABSTRACT

This study is aimed to assess the problem of head lice among primary female students in the city of Al Khobar, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. A model [DPSEEA] adopted by the World Health Organization [WHO] was used. It is also aimed to find the geographical distribution of head lice. A total of 100 female children manifested with head lice were identified from 40 schools in Al Khobar city. They were interviewed in the School Health Clinic in Al-Khobar using a structured questionnaire. Their weight and height were measured, BMI was calculated. The results showed that the mean number of family members of the studied population was nine persons living mostly in an apartment of 3-4 rooms. About 55% of the infested girls had sisters with similar problem. Thirty per cent did not use any medication or does not know the name of the medicine previously used More than half of the girls used sharing combs and 40% used sharing towels. About 36% of the mothers claimed that the schools were the source of the infestation. There was a statistically significant association between use of medications by infected girls and father's education, and a statistically significant association between use of personal towel by infected girls and mother's education, father's education, and number of family members respectively. A map of head lice distribution that had been produced in this study, using GIS, showed that "Al Thoqba" area reported the highest infestation. A matrix for future strategies was produced in order to control this health problem: