EPIDEMIOLOGIA DELLA PEDICULOSI DEL CAPO IN UNA POPOLAZIONE SCOLARE LOMBARDA

Abstract

From September 1978 to May 1979, a total of 3076 children, all the pupils at school in 19 small municipalities in an agricultural or mixed-economy region in the Oltrepo Pavese area and organized in a Health Consortium based at Casteggio, was studied for head lice. 81 cases were found, the rate of infection being 26,33‰. Females (34.2‰) and children of mothers who work outside the home were infected more frequently than males (19.2‰) and children of housewifes. These differences were statistically significant. Marked overcrowding in the home was associated, though not significantly, with an increased likelihood of infection. Statistically significant peaks were noted shortly after children returned to school from each holiday. In this Health Consortium, where schools are carefully checked, the reservoir for pediculosis still appears to be the family environment