El problema de la pediculosis capitis en escolares del área metropolitana de San José, Costa Rica

Abstract

The problem of pediculosis capitis was studied in 28 schools of the metropolitan area of San José, Costa Rica. 7.312 children were evaluated by naked eye observation (NEO) and a sample of hair or presuntive parasite forms was collected in all the suspected cases of pediculosis capitis. This material was cleared and mounted in Hoyer's medium for microscopic observation. 730 (10.0%) of the tested children were positive at least for one of the following parasite forms: hatched or non-hatched eggs, nymphs and adults. 590 (80.8%) of the positive children were girls and 140 (19.2%) were boys. The prevalence rates observed in the studied schools showed values between 3.2 and 27.2%. These data suggest that pediculosis capitis is one of the most common public health problems in our children, that can interfere with their learning processes and general welfare.