KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF PARENTS AND SCHOOLS STAFF TOWARDS HEAD LICE INFESTATION IN RIYADH

Background: Head lice infestation is a parasitic skin infection that is commonly prevalent globally, especially in areas with poor economic status. This parasite lives in both human and animal body. This parasite feeds on the blood of host and transmits among different individuals by using of claws of the leg. Objective: To investigate the knowledge and attitudes of parents towards head lice in Riyadh. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross sectional study which was conducted on mothers of school girls in schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study was performed using self- administrated questionnaire which was distributed among participants. Results: The prevalence of head lice among children of participants was 56.5%. Appearance of lice in head was the most common mark to know about infestation by 52.2% of the participants. The large majority (96.6%) treated the affected child. Level of knowledge was significantly affected by age (P-value=0.023), being infested with head lice (P-value=0.000) and source of awareness about head lice (P-value=0.001), whereas attitude significantly affected by monthly income (P-value=0.036). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of head lice among girl students in Riyadh with moderate practice among mothers. Knowledge was significantly influenced by age, infestation with lice and source of awareness about head lice, whereas attitude was significantly influenced by monthly income.