Head louse infestation among the students in Yŏngyang-gun, Kyŏngsangbuk-to
Tong-Kŭn Kim,Chán-Pyŏng Park and Sŏn Hŏ
Yŏngyang-gun Health Center, Kyŏngsangbuk-to, 660-40, Korea.
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to know the present situation of head louse infestation among the students in Yŏngyang-gun, Kyŏngsangbuk-to From May 11 to June 20, 1984, a total of 5,937 students in 23 primary and 3 middle schools were examined to identify the adult worms of head louse and/or their nits on the hair.
The results are as follows:
1. The overall infestation rate was 44.5% and the rates ranged from 19.6% to 88.6% by each school.
2. In primary schools, the rate was 53.0% and in middle schools, 27.1%.
3. The school boys' rate was 33.2% and the school girls' 55.6%, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001).
4. The rates were different by grades in middle schools.
5. The rates were different by areas (Myons) (p<0.001).
6. The adult worms collected from the students were Pediculus humanus var. capitis.
Figures
Fig. 1 Head louse infestation rate by each grade and sex
Figs. 2-4 Fig. 2. Six-year old girl's hair and her ear auricle infested with head louse (December, 1983).
Fig. 3. Another six-year old girl's hair showing nits of head loue (November, 1984).
Fig. 4.Pediculus humanus var. capitis collected from a student (June, 1984).
Tables
Table 1 Head louse infestation rate by schools in Yŏngyang-gun, Kyŏngsangbuk-to (1984)
Table 2 Head louse infestation rate in primary and middle schools
Table 3 Head louse infestation rate by each grade and sex
Table 4 Head louse infestation rate in primary schools by each myŏn
References
1.
Lee SH, Oh CW, Chai JY. [Head Louse Infestation Among Primary School Children In Seosan-Gun, Chungnam Province]. Korean J Parasitol 1984;22(1):141–143.
