Pediculosis capitis among primary schoolchildren in urban and rural areas of Kwara State, Nigeria.

The prevalence of head lice (pediculosis humanus capitis) was investigated among urban and rural schoolchildren in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, Nigeria, and two neighboring rural communities. Among the pupils, 57 (3.1%) of 1,842 urban schoolchildren examined were infested, compared with only one (0.1%) of 1.056 rural school pupils. More female pupils had infestations. Children less than age five, primary I pupils, and pupils in primary VI were not infested. Urban schoolchildren with 41-45 lice per head constituted 7.7% of those infested with nits and lice. Most infected children had one-five and 11-15 lice per head. The school health component of the national primary health care scheme should be intensified to screen schoolchildren regularly for pediculosis and other childhood diseases.