Pediculosis Capitis in Benghazi, Libya

Abstract

A school survey of pediculosis capitis in Benghazi, Libya, revealed an alarmingly high prevalence of 78.6%. The percentage of infestation was 67.2% for boys and 88.1% for girls. It was more frequent in schools located in rural areas (85.55%) as compared with those in urban areas (44.28%). There was no significant difference in infestation in younger and older children of either sex. Besides other factors for such a high prevalence, the lack of health education of family members may play a crucial role in transference and louse infestation.

The prevalence of pediculosis capitis in schoolchildren in Mersin, Turkey

“…PC has a worldwide distribution, with a variable rate up to 80% 2,3 . Its prevalence has increased worldwide since the middle of the 1960s 4 .…”

“…This has been attributed to gender‐related behavioral differences: close head contact between girls is often more intimate and prolonged than in boys 7,12 , 17 . In addition, hair length has been suggested to lead to differences between the two sexes by impeding the transmission of lice from scalp to scalp; 3,21 however, a number of studies have failed to show such a relationship 1,22 , 23 . Another explanation for the lower incidence in boys is that the short haircuts of boys make it difficult to detect the signs of a previous infestation, such as nits.…”

“…Some authors have claimed that PC is found in all socio‐economic classes, 18,22 , 25 whereas others have reported that PC is more frequent in low socio‐economic classes 2,11 , 25 . Bharija et al 3 . stated that the prevalence of PC is lower in urban areas, which have better social, economic, and educational status, when compared with rural areas.…”

“…PC has a worldwide distribution, with a variable rate up to 80%. 2,3 Its prevalence has increased worldwide since the middle of the 1960s. 4 In certain epidemiologic school surveys conducted in different countries, the prevalence of PC has been found to be 15% in France, 5 37.2% in Korea, 6 33.7% in Australia, 7 9.39% in Spain, 8 40% in Taiwan, 9 78.6% in Libya, 5 8% in Lebanon, 10 13.4% in northern Jordan, 11 55% in Israel, 12 and 28.3% in the UK.…”

“…2,11,25 Bharija et al . 3 stated that the prevalence of PC is lower in urban areas, which have better social, economic, and educational status, when compared with rural areas. Sarov et al .…”