Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (CHLB) Health Education to Prevent Pediculosis Capitis in Students

Abstract

Pediculosis capitis is a common parasitic infestation caused by Pediculus humanus capitis, often found among school-aged children and adolescents, particularly in communal environments such as Islamic boarding schools. The prevalence of this condition is closely linked to poor personal hygiene and inadequate implementation of clean and healthy living behavior (CHLB). This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of health education on CHLB in preventing pediculosis capitis among female students. The research used a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design involving 51 respondents selected through simple random sampling. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results showed a significant improvement in CHLB (p = 0.000 < 0.05), with 53% of respondents demonstrating better hygiene behavior after health education. These findings indicate that health education effectively enhances knowledge and preventive behavior against pediculosis capitis. Continuous CHLB promotion is essential to reduce infestation rates in boarding schools.