The prevalence of headlice infestation among primary school pupils in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) among 1,060 pupils of two primary schools in Bokkos, Plateau State, Nigeria, was 50.75% . Except for the age, and frequency of baths per week by the pupils, significant differences were indicated
for the nature of hair, hair length, water shortage and sharing of combs. The study, further revealed that pupils with long natural hair had higher percentage infestation rate in both schools, Pilot Central School, Bokkos (78.85%) and in Central Primary School, Maikatako (69.57%). It was observed that pupils with inadequate water supplies showed high infestation rate with headlice.

Keywords: Infestation, school lice, Pediculus humanus.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (1) 2008 pp. 1-4