Pediculosis capitis among rural and urban schoolchildren in Nigeria

The prevalence of head lice (Pedicuhs humanus capitis) u ‘as investigated among urban and rural schoolchildren in Ibadan City and three surrounding villages all in Southern Nigeria. 106 (5.7%) of 1860 urban schoolchildren examined were infested compared with only seven (1.5%) of 473 children from rural schools (P<O.O5). Pediculosis appears to be an urban problem which may be associated with overcrowding. However, the intensity of head louse infestation was low among the urban schoolchildren with 74.6 % of all lousy children harbouring one to five lice per head and only 6.0% with more than 30 lice per head