In:
Parasites, Hosts and Diseases, Korean Society for Parasitology, Vol. 61, No. 1 ( 2023-02-22), p. 53-59
Kurzfassung:
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 ( 〈 i 〉 n 〈 /i 〉 = 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 〈 i 〉 Pediculus humanus capitis 〈 /i 〉 . The prevalence was 2.8% (133/4,727) in 2011-2012 and gradually decreased to 0.8% (49/6,461) in 2019 ( 〈 i 〉 P 〈 /i 〉 〈 0.05). Head lice were found more frequently in girls (3.0%; 746/24,976) than in boys (1.4%; 361/26,532) ( 〈 i 〉 P 〈 /i 〉 〈 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.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
2982-5164
,
2982-6799
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
Korean Society for Parasitology
Publikationsdatum:
2023
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