Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria
Introduction: Head lice infestations are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but knowledge, attitudes and practices have never been studied in this region. Methodology: This population-based study was conducted in a small rural community (population = 590) in Kwara State, Central Nigeria. Inhabitants o...
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The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2011-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
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| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1746 |
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| author | Jorg Heukelbach Uade Samuel Ugbomoiko |
| author_facet | Jorg Heukelbach Uade Samuel Ugbomoiko |
| author_sort | Jorg Heukelbach |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Head lice infestations are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but knowledge, attitudes and practices have never been studied in this region.
Methodology: This population-based study was conducted in a small rural community (population = 590) in Kwara State, Central Nigeria. Inhabitants of the community were interviewed regarding head lice infestations, using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and examined regarding the presence of active pediculosis.
Results: Of the 496 participants included, 367 (74.0%) had experienced head lice infestations, but only 26 (11.1%) of the individuals older than 15 years knew the correct mode of transmission. Of 142 individuals with active pediculosis, only 1 (0.7%) felt ashamed. Treatment was most commonly done by grooming (46.3%), followed by combing (27.2%). Only 4.6% used pediculicides, and 21.8% did not apply any treatment. Opinions about difficulties in controlling head lice were asked in three groups: biological, technical and social. In the first group, the most common difficulty noted was detecting head lice (52.1%), followed by possible resistance that would lengthen the time of infestation (38.9%). Technical constraints included concerns on the safety and effectiveness of products (48.7%) and difficulties in obtaining treatment (46.2%). Social contraints included difficulty in treating children (24.4%), lack of knowledge (23.5%), and the social behavior of children (22.2%).
Conclusions: Head lice were not perceived as an important disease in a rural Nigerian community, and feelings about the infestation were mostly indifferent. Despite its common occurrence, knowledge on head lice was limited.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc23bef2aaa2412f894d51fb5bc6b73a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1972-2680 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-07-01 |
| publisher | The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc23bef2aaa2412f894d51fb5bc6b73a2025-08-20T03:48:58ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802011-07-0150910.3855/jidc.1746Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural NigeriaJorg Heukelbach0Uade Samuel Ugbomoiko1Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, BrazilDepartment of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria Introduction: Head lice infestations are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but knowledge, attitudes and practices have never been studied in this region. Methodology: This population-based study was conducted in a small rural community (population = 590) in Kwara State, Central Nigeria. Inhabitants of the community were interviewed regarding head lice infestations, using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and examined regarding the presence of active pediculosis. Results: Of the 496 participants included, 367 (74.0%) had experienced head lice infestations, but only 26 (11.1%) of the individuals older than 15 years knew the correct mode of transmission. Of 142 individuals with active pediculosis, only 1 (0.7%) felt ashamed. Treatment was most commonly done by grooming (46.3%), followed by combing (27.2%). Only 4.6% used pediculicides, and 21.8% did not apply any treatment. Opinions about difficulties in controlling head lice were asked in three groups: biological, technical and social. In the first group, the most common difficulty noted was detecting head lice (52.1%), followed by possible resistance that would lengthen the time of infestation (38.9%). Technical constraints included concerns on the safety and effectiveness of products (48.7%) and difficulties in obtaining treatment (46.2%). Social contraints included difficulty in treating children (24.4%), lack of knowledge (23.5%), and the social behavior of children (22.2%). Conclusions: Head lice were not perceived as an important disease in a rural Nigerian community, and feelings about the infestation were mostly indifferent. Despite its common occurrence, knowledge on head lice was limited. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1746KAP studypediculosisNigeria |
| spellingShingle | Jorg Heukelbach Uade Samuel Ugbomoiko Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria Journal of Infection in Developing Countries KAP study pediculosis Nigeria |
| title | Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria |
| title_full | Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria |
| title_short | Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria |
| title_sort | knowledge attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural nigeria |
| topic | KAP study pediculosis Nigeria |
| url | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1746 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jorgheukelbach knowledgeattitudesandpracticesregardingheadliceinfestationsinruralnigeria AT uadesamuelugbomoiko knowledgeattitudesandpracticesregardingheadliceinfestationsinruralnigeria |