The Prevalence of Pediculus capitis Among Schoolchildren in Tripoli Area, Libya

Pediculus humanus capitis (Head louse) is an obligate ectoparasites that is transmitted from a person to another, through physical contact. Pediculosis is a health problem that is affects schoolchildren in all socio-economic levels. This survey is a descriptive, analytical study carried out to determine the prevalence rate of pediculosis capitis and some associated factors among primary schoolchildren in Tajura and Tripoli cities. The sample size was 4155 randomly selected schoolchildren in urban and rural schools. The survey was carried out for six months. A questionnaire that included questions relating to the age, hygiene, school grade, socio-economic status, parent’s job, level of parent’s education and family size was used. The results of the study showed that 169 schoolchildren (4.1 %) were infested. 0.6 % of the boys and 6.9 % of the girls were infested with head lice. The most prevalent rate was observed in student aged between 9-12 years and the lowest prevalence rate was observed in age group between 5-8 years. There were significant statistical differences between pediculosis capitis and some factors such as sex, level of parent’s education, type of hair (length, colour and thickness), family size, girls wearing scarf and parent’s job (p<0.05). The prevalence rate of head louse infestation in this study was high. The results of the present survey and others in foreign countries show that head louse infestation is a cosmopolitan health problem with different regional prevalence rates rendering it a considerable pediatric problem.