KMID : 0425120230610010053
|
|
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases 2023 Volume.61 No. 1 p.53 ~ p.59
|
|
Prevalence of head louse infestation among primary schoolchildren in the Republic of Korea: nationwide observation of trends in 2011-2019
|
|
Ryoo Seung-Wan
Hong Soo-Ji Chang Tae-Hee Shin Hye-Joo Park Jae-Young Lee Jeong-Gyu Nah Eun-Hee Lee Eun-Hee Jung Bong-Kwang Chai Jong-Yil
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
Head louse infestation is a significant public health problem across the world, particularly among preschool and primary schoolchildren. This study investigated the trends of head louse infestation in the Republic of Korea over a 9-year period (2011-2019), targeting primary schoolchildren in 3 areas of Seoul, 4 other large cities, and 9 provinces. A survey was administered annually by the health staff of each regional office (n= 16) of the Korea Association of Health Promotion (KAHP). The branch offices of KAHP examined a total of 51,508 primary schoolchildren, comprising 26,532 boys and 24,976 girls. Over the 9-year survey, a total of 1,107 (2.1%) schoolchildren tested positive for adults and/or nits of Pediculus humanus capitis. The prevalence was 2.8% (133/4,727) in 2011-2012 and gradually decreased to 0.8% (49/6,461) in 2019 (P< 0.05). Head lice were found more frequently in girls (3.0%; 746/24,976) than in boys (1.4%; 361/26,532) (P< 0.05). In terms of geographic localities, the highest infestation rate, 4.7% (average prevalence over 9 years), was observed in southern Seoul (Gangnam branch of KAHP), whereas the lowest infestation rate, 0.7%, was seen in Gyeongsang (north and south provinces) and western Seoul. Although the prevalence decreased significantly during the 9-year period, head louse infestation remains a health and hygiene issue among primary schoolchildren in the Republic of Korea. Regular surveys along with health education are needed to further improve children¡¯s hair hygiene.
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
Pediculus humanus capitis, head louse, schoolchildren, prevalence, Republic of Korea
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|
|