HEAD LICE (PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS) AN EMERGING PARASITIC DISEASES: PREVALENCE AND SURVEY IN SOME SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN LIVING IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE.

Head lice infestation, caused by pediculus humanus capitis, remains a significant public health concern, particularly among school-age children in developing regions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pediculusis and associated vector parasites among children in some selected primary school along bulumkutu area, Maiduguri borno state, Nigeria. A total of 198 children were examined, with a demographic breakdown of 100 males (50.5%) and 98 females (49.5%). The study found that 54 children (27.3%) were infested with head lice, with a higher prevalence among the female cohort. Age-specific analysis revealed the highest infestation rate among 7-year- olds (45.7%). The distribution of infestation varied by location within the school community, with the highest burden recorded in bulumkutu sallake and bulumkutu kasuwa. This studies emphasizes the urgent need for effective public health intervention in Borno state, emphasizing improve hygiene practices and targeted education to mitigate pediculusis and it's broader implications for children's health and academic performance.caused by pediculus humanus capitis, remains a significant public health concern, particularly among school-age children in developing regions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of pediculusis and associated vector parasites among children in some selected primary school along bulumkutu area, Maiduguri borno state, Nigeria. A total of 198 children were examined, with a demographic breakdown of 100 males (50.5%) and 98 females (49.5%). The study found that 54 children (27.3%) were infested with head lice, with a higher prevalence among the female cohort. Age-specific analysis revealed the highest infestation rate among 7-year- olds (45.7%). The distribution of infestation varied by location within the school community, with the highest burden recorded in bulumkutu sallake and bulumkutu kasuwa. This studies emphasizes the urgent need for effective public health intervention in Borno state, emphasizing improve hygiene practices and targeted education to mitigate pediculusis and it's broader implications for children's health and academic performance.