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  • Title: Prevalence of pediculosis capitis among children in a rural community.
    Author: Bhatia V, Nayar S.
    Journal: Indian J Matern Child Health; 1997; 8(2):39-41. PubMed ID: 12292796.
    Abstract:
    Studies in India have reported a wide-ranging prevalence of pediculosis in different groups, 51.26% among villagers, 6.4% among school children, and 4.6% in the semi-urban community. Pediculosis is one of the most common parasitic infestations in the community, responsible for a high level of morbidity. The condition in most cases simply reflects poor hygiene. A house-to-house survey was conducted in 5 villages of Wardha district, Maharastra, with a combined population of 2063. A study conducted in 1988-89 of 337 males and 329 females up to age 14 years found a prevalence rate of pediculosis capitis infestation of 20.42%. Infestation was detected in 8.9% of males and 32.2% of females. The infestation rate increased from 9.31% to 30.17% with the age groups from 0-4 years to 10-14 years. 54.4% of children did not wash their hair daily; 35.6% of females and 21.3% of males. When hair was washed on a daily basis, the infestation rate was 11.8%, compared to 27.6% when the washing was done irregularly. Teaching the community about personal hygiene and the availability of anti-pediculosis drugs could lead to the reduction in the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among children.
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