Headlice in schoolchildren from Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar state, Venezuela

Between April and July 2013, a cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of headlice in children aged 6-15 years enrolled in four schools in Ciudad Bolívar, Bolivar State, Venezuela. The parasitological diagnosis was made by direct observation of eggs, nymphs and/ or adults on the scalp and/or hair. After signing the informed consent, we filled a clinical and epidemiologic record to each participant. 697 children (40.3%) of the 1730 school enrollment were evaluated, determining a prevalence of 25.1% (175/697). Girls were significantly more infected (42.4%) (OR: 9.35 p 0.05), but the group of 8-11 years was predominant (70.3%). Factors associated with a higher prevalence of headlice were female (OR: 9.35 po,o5) aunque predominó el grupo de 8-11 años. Los factores asociados a una mayor prevalencia de pediculosis de la cabeza fueron: el género femenino (OR: 9,35 p