A School Survey Of The Pediculosis Capitis In Benghazi (1995)

Original article

English

Ghassan S. Mahmoud 1, Tunis M. Meidan 2, Omar H. Sudani 3.

1-Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Al-Arab Medical University. 2-Dept. of Family Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Al-Arab Medical University. 3- Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Al-Arab Medical University.

Sebha Med J. 1998;Vol.1(2):109-112

Abstract

Pediculosis capitis (P.C.) is a common worldwide health problem among school children. The prevalence rate among school children in the area of Benghazi was 78% in 1988 (it was 44% in the urban schools of Benghazi).
In this study we conducted a school survey in the city of Benghazi to find the prevalence rate of P.C. among school children, to find the difference in prevalence between the public and private schools, to study the regional variations between the different areas of the city and to study some of the determinants of transmission. 3438 school children from 12 primary schools (5 private and 7 public) were included in this study.
The study has revealed that the prevalence rate was 29%. It was 30.4% in the public schools and 26.9% in the private schools. The difference of prevalence between the public schools and the private schools was significant (P< 0.05). The difference of prevalence between males and females was significant (P< 0.0005). The male/female ratio was 1:1.46. The prevalence increases with children’s age. Big family size (number of brothers and sisters) and mothers illiteracy were found to be important in determining the prevalence rate. There different residential areas of the city of Benghazi. Keywords: A School Survey Of The Pediculosis Capitis In Benghazi (1995) Link/DOI: