Diversity, dynamics, and predictors of head lice infestation among primary school children in Pakistan

Head lice infestation remains a significant public health concern for school children in both industrialized and developing countries, with socioeconomic status and personal hygiene conditions influencing its degree of occurrence. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the diversity of human pediculosis, infestation dynamics, and its associated predictors among primary school children in Pakistan. A total of 19 schools were selected, with data collected from 50 students in each, resulting in a diverse occurrence. Two lice species were identified as Pediculus humanus capitis and Pediculus humanus humanus, 66% of cases were ascribed to Pediculus humanus capitis, 20% to Pediculus humanus humanus, and 14% prevalent to nymphs. Diversity indices, Simpson Index (1-D), Shannon Index (H’), Evenness (eH/S), Brillouin Index, Equitability (J), Fisher Alpha (S), and Berger–Parker Index (S) showed non-significant (P > 0.05) difference among the school participants. Whereas the species abundance was significantly (P < 0.05) different among participants. Morphological data analysis revealed variations by species gender, species types, fungal infection, hair texture, and oil indicating 74.7% variation by the first principal component and 9.2% by the second. The binary logistic regression model revealed that demographic factors (age and BMI, hair length and texture) and health factors (physical appearance, bath/week, hair-oiling, and fungal infection) have shown significant (P < 0.05) association with pediculosis occurrence among primary school children. These findings contribute to understanding occurrence patterns and identify relevant potential risk factors, which can build effective preventative and control measures against lice infestation among school children.