title: Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding head lice infestations in rural Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head lice infestations are common in sub-Saharan Africa, but knowledge, attitudes and practices have never been studied in this region.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil. heukelbach@web.de.
authors.forename: Jorg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heukelbach
authors.forename: Uade Samuel
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Ugbomoiko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000469:parasitology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010374:Pediculus; D012424:Rural Population; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents