Con el propósito de conocer la presencia de pediculosis en conviventes de niños diagnosticados como positivos a Pediculus capitis en instituciones educacionales del Consejo Popular Carmelo, se visitaron las viviendas de 58 niños que presentaban pediculosis repetidamente durante los meses de mayo a septiembre de 1997. De 237 conviventes inspeccionados, 14,54 % resultaron positivos (40 personas), de los cuales 82,5 % pertenecía al sexo femenino. El familiar más afectado fue la madre (32,5 %). Se parearon 30 niños positivos, por edad, sexo y grado, con 30 niños negativos. Se comprobó mayor frecuencia de pediculosis en los conviventes de los casos (12,4 %) que en el de los controles (1,8 %) (t = 3,49; p < 0,001). Se recomendó la revisión y el tratamiento si procede, a los conviventes de escolares con pediculosis.

In order to determine the frequency of pediculosis in persons living with children diagnosed as positive to Pediculus capitis in educational institutions of the ?Carmelo? People?s Council, the houses of 58 children who repeatedly had pediculosis from May to September, 1997 were visited. 14.54% of the 237 examined persons were positive (40 individuals). 82.5% were females. The mother was the most affected relative (32.5%). 30 positive children were matched by age, sex and grade with 30 negative children. People living together with the cases had a higher frequency of pediculosis (12.4%) than those living with the controls (1.8%) (t=3.49; p<0.001). The examination and treatment, if necessary, of those persons living together with the school children with pediculosis was recommended.