Tropical doctor
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Tungiasis is highly prevalent in resource-poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa, but studies among schoolchildren are scanty. We assessed prevalence, parasite load and clinical aspects of tungiasis in schoolchildren in south-western Nigeria. A total of 545 schoolchildren was examined. ⋯ Desquamation was present in 90.2%, followed by erythema (54.9%) and oedema (43.6%); 54.9% showed any chronic pathology and more one-third nail deformations. Our study indicates that tungiasis is an important health problem in rural Nigerian schoolchildren. Sustainable interventions are required to control the disease in this and similar communities.