207 Tropical Biomedicine 29(2): 207–211 (2012) Prevalence and risk factors of Pediculus ( humanus ) capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae), in primary schools in Sanandaj City, Kurdistan Province, Iran Vahabi, A. 1 , Shemshad, K. 2 , Sayyadi, M. 3 , Biglarian, A. 4 , Vahabi, B. 5 , Sayyad, S. 6 , Shemshad, M. 7 and Rafinejad, J. 8* 1 Environmental Health Research Centre and Department of Public Health, School of Health, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran 1 Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, Sanandaj, Iran 2 Department of Entomology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 3 Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Ghods Hospital, Paveh, Iran 4 Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation (USWR), Tehran, Iran 5 Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, Sanandaj, Iran 6 Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kermanshah, Iran 7 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 8* Evaluation Management and Development Center, Deputy of Research Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran 8* Department of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran * Correspondence author email: jrafinejad@tums.ac.ir Received 21 November 2011; received in revised form 10 January 2012; accepted 14 January 2012 Abstract. Human head lice, Pediculus (humanus) capitis, infest people worldwide and are most prevalent in children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of head lice, in relation to socioeconomic status of the family and hygienic practices in the home. The prevalence rate was determined in 27 primary schools that had 810 students in Sanandaj city who were selected by multistage, systematic random sampling. A total of 38 students from all grades were infested with different rates of infestations. In addition, standard questionnaire recorded information about demographic features of each student were fulfilled. Children aged 10-11 years were the most frequently affected, there was a significant relationship between head louse infestation, family income and parents education level (α=5%). Pediculosis is a public health problem in many parts of the world. Pediculosis was found to be more prevalent among children of fathers with lower level of education and socioeconomic status, it is necessary to give health education to families in order to prevent pediculosis in this area. INTRODUCTION The human head louse, Pediculus humanus var. capitis De Geer, 1778, are wingless, obligate ectoparasites of humans, which affect millions of children worldwide, especially teenagers in both developed and developing countries generally, rates are heavier among girls (Burgess, 2004). Although head lice are not known to be vectors of human disease, pediculosis causes scalp pruritis which occurs due to sensitization to both louse saliva and fecal antigens and may be so intense that lead to excoriations, secondary bacterial infection (Malcolm & Bergman, 2007), sleep loss, disturbances and scratching (Suleman & Jabeen, 1989; Downs et al., 1999; Burgess, 2004). Acute glomerulonephritis caused by nephritogenic strains of streptococci is a famous complication, especially in the tropical countries (Svartman et al., 1973). Severely affected patients may even develop anaemia (Linardi, 2002). Pediculosis may