A study of head lice among primary schoolchildren in Kenya

Abstract

Of 1270 schoolchildren (651 girls and 619 boys) from 33 urban and rural primary schools in different regions of Kenya who were examined for head lice, 17.1% were infested (8% with living lice or nits, 9.1% with dead nits). The over-all difference between infestation rates in urban and rural schools was not significant, but there was considerable variation in the five different regions selected. Infestation was not sex-related. Infestation rates tended to be higher in older children and in children with longer hair. Negroid children had lower infestation rates than non-Negroid children. The criterion seems to be hair type. Prevalence of infestation was higher in private schools because non-Negroid children predominate in these schools. There was no correlation between infestation and the sharing of a towel or comb, but infestation tended to be higher in those who wash less, in those who share their bed, and in those who sleep with room-mates. Levels of infestation were low, with most harbouring only one or two lice.

Epidemiological Aspects of Head Lice in Children Attending Day Care Centres, Urban and Rural Schools in Uberlândia, Central Brazil

“…The absence of significant differences between the prevalence rates of pediculosis in schoolchildren from rural and urban area (Table I) are in agreement with Chunge (1986). Nevertheless, other surveys have verified significant differences between head lice distribution found in urban and rural schoolchildren (Donaldson 1976, Hoffmann 1983, Ogunridade & Oyejide 1984.…”

“…Nevertheless, those authors categorized the children as whites and brunets (including dark brunets, mulattos and blacks) and now the children were separated into blacks and non-blacks (including dark brunets, brunets and whites). Lowers head lice prevalences generally encountered in blacks would be due to the differences in shape of hair between races (Ashcroft 1969, Chunge 1986. Results found in the present study indicate that, as other studied factors, the shape of hair is not preponderant in the installation of head lice in the studied population.…”

“…Exams consisted of visual inspections of children's heads for 3 min, paying special attention to the neck and behind the ears with the help of hair manipulation (Chunge 1986). Children whose hair had at least one of the developing stages of P. capitis, including only nit residues, were considered positive.…”

“…However, school age children are more likely to be infested (Buxton 1938, Lolió et al 1975, Donaldson 1976, Gbakima 1992. There are many factors related to the host that can be associated to head lice prevalence: race, age group, sex, social-economical conditions and hair characteristics (Sinniah et al 1981, Arene & Ukaulor 1985, Chunge 1986). Overcrowded living conditions and the arising of resistance to insecticides have contributed to the increase of head lice in the last few years (Linardi et al 1988, Pollack et al 1999, Lee et al 2000.…”

Indirect Transmission of Head Lice via Inanimate Objects

“…But, the magnitude of this needs to be confirmed through appropriate scientific study. Other studies have found that family size, overcrowding and sleeping in the same bed can promote transmission [24][25][26][27][28].…”