Pediculosis capitis is the most prevalent ectoparasitosis worldwide. Most cases are found in children between 3 and 11 years of age, more frequently among women than in men ^1,2. This infestation is caused by the hematophagous insect Pediculus humanus capitis (known as head louse), order Phthiraptera, suborder Anoplura and family Pediculidae. The life cycle of this insect depends entirely on humans, since it is adapted to humidity and temperature conditions found in the scalp, on which it feeds ^3-5. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, lice are classified according to four mitochondrial genotypes: clades A (subclades A1 and A2), B, C and D, each with a different geographic distribution ^6,7.

Currently, P. capitis is considered as a vector of infectious agents such as Rickettsia prowazekii (typhus epidemic), Bartonella quintana (trench fever), Borrelia recurrentis (recurrent epidemic fever), Yersinia pestis (plague) and Acinetobacter baumannii ^7,8. Likewise, complications such as allergies, severe anemia ⁹ and superinfections ¹⁰ have been reported in infested individuals, while resistance to pediculicides has been documented in several regions around the world ^11,12. For these reasons, this ectoparasitosis prevails in the population, harming school performance in those affected, and generating anguish within the family and the community.

In Colombia, little is known about the clinical and epidemiological profiles of pediculosis capitis for each region. However, two studies conducted in the Cauca Department ^13,14, which are more than ten years old, show the magnitude and characteristics of this phenomenon. In consequence, knowing the prevalence and the variables that are associated with lice infestation in the population from this region is highly convenient.

This was a cross-sectional study including 200 students enrolled in the institution Los Hoyos, attached to the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF by its acronym in Spanish), in Popayán, Colombia. A specific sample of 148 students aged between 1 and 5 years was obtained (mean: 3.12 years, standard deviation: 1.056, male sex: 55.4%, female sex: 44.6%). Popayán is the capital of the Cauca department, located at 1 735 meters above sea level, with an average temperature of 19°C, temperate climate and average humidity of 77.75% ¹⁵.

Inclusion criteria comprised children aged 1-5 years enrolled in the institution. Individuals who were absent from the kindergarten during the observation and sample collection period were excluded. The bioethical endorsement for this project was granted by the ethics committee of the vice-rector's office of Universidad del Cauca.

P. capitis is a ubiquitous ectoparasite, and the global prevalence of its infestation varies according to the geographical region, the climate and personal habits. Thus, in developing countries, prevalence rates have been determined at around 40% ¹⁷. In this study, the prevalence is 11.5%.

Statistical significance was found in the variables female sex, long hair and scalp pruritus. Table 1 synthesizes the variables that were associated with pediculosis capitis in the studied children.

Table 1

* Statistically significant. t Missing data.

Latin America is not the exception to the global trend; prevalence rates and variables associated with P. capitis are disparate among regions and vary according to climatic conditions ^18-20. In Yucatán, Mexico, Manrique-Saide et al. ²¹ found a prevalence of 13.6% in a population similar to this study (19/140 children aged 7-12 years).

In Venezuela, Cazorla-Perfettl et al. ¹⁶ also reported similar figures (10.1%), with a significant infestation rate in the variables girls/boys (90%/10%), long hair (>3cm) and straight type. The symptoms associated with P. capitis were pruritus and excoriation, which is consistent with this study in terms of a greater association in the female sex (94.1%/5.9%), long hair and scalp pruritus variables.

In Chile, Gazmuri et al. ²² found an infestation prevalence of 40.3%, mostly in girls (55.2%). In Brazil, Fragoso-Rocha et al. ²³ studied 147 children from a primary school (4-11 years) and found prevalence rates of 44.9% and 32.8% in two different observations, which are higher than the ones presented in this study (11.5%.)

There is little research in Colombia about this type of ectoparasitosis. Ríos et al. ²⁴ conducted a study in a kindergarten of Bogotá D.C. for 7 months, estimating a P. capitis prevalence between 2.9% and 33.3%. The variables associated with infestation were long hair, living with more than five people in the same house and poor hygienic habits. This study also found an association of pediculosis capitis with long hair.

In 2006, at the local level, Hurtado et al. ¹³ studied a sample of 177 children between 3 and 4 years of age, and found that 85.8% of the population were classified in a low socioeconomic stratum and that the prevalence of P. capitis was 54.2%, the highest rate nationwide. Associated clinical manifestations were scalp pruritus (62.5%) and neck pruritus (67.34%). The association of P. capitis with scalp pruritus was similar in this study (47.1%) ¹³.

Also in Popayán, Gonzales et al. ¹⁴ found a prevalence of 39% in a population of 326 students in 2001. In addition, P. capitis was more frequent in girls (72.4%) and, according to the socioeconomic stratum, infestation was more prevalent in stratum 1 (61.3%). Most of the children affected by P capitis in this study were also girls (94.1%) and children in low strata (88.2%). The prevalence found in this research was 11.5%, much lower than that reported by the other two local authors. Although the difference in the prevalence of P. capitis in the three studies is not similar, it proved that ectoparasitosis is prevalent in the school population and requires greater attention of public health.

The female sex and long hair variables could favor infestation by lice since, usually, girls have long hair and frequently share utensils such as combs or clothing for socialization purposes.

Unlike other studies, hair type was not statistically significant, which could be explained by the loss of data at the time of filling out the survey with the parents. Other authors reported protective factors such as daily hair wash ^16,24, previous information on P. capitis and children inspection, which were not related to infestation prevalence in this study.

The results of this study suggest that P. capitis in Popayán children is present and tends to be perpetuated, which is evident the three local studies (2001, 2006 and the present).

According to Colombia's Decennial Plan for Public Health 20122021 ²⁵, P. capitis and other ectoparasitosis are not considered as current public health problems. It is necessary that governmental entities incorporate and implement promotion, prevention and pediculicide programs, since this problem can affect the learning processes and the general welfare of children and families. Such policies should be implemented in schools, homes, health centers and the community in general to diagnose and treat affected children. Since no one is free from lice infestation, this is a public health challenge that should be categorized as a neglected ectoparasitosis with reemerging potential.