ABSTRACT

Aim: To determine the prevalence of Pediculosis capitis in school going boys in schools of North Nazimabad Town, Karachi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional

Place and Duration: Study was conducted in schools of North Nazimabad Karachi for six months duration from January 2017 to June 2017.

Methodology: Total 190 school going boys of age 05-12 years, both private and government schools selected after taking valid written consent from the school authorities. Boys treated with anti-lice shampoo within last week & case of psoriasis and eczema were excluded. Mean ± SD were expressed for continuous while frequencies & percentages for categorical variables. Chi-square was used as test of significance with a P value <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: Mean ± SD age was 8.87 ± 1.93 years. Mean ± SD number of siblings was 2.84 ± 1.24 (Range: 01 to 05). Majority of students belonged to urban area (93.68%). Student from government schools were 55.26% and private schools were 44.74%. Frequency of pediculosis capitits detection was 28.42%. Government schools were associated with higher frequency of pediculosis capitits (P values <0.05).

Conclusion: Pediculosis capitis is common in male students of schools of Karachi. Government schoolsare associated with occurrence of more head lice infestations.

Keywords: Pediculosis capitis, Head louse, Frequency, Male school students