The purpose of this study is to know the present situation of head louse infestation among the students in Yongyang-gun, Kyongsangbuk-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: The overall infestation rate was 44.5 percent and the rates ranged from 19.6 percent to 88.6 percent by each school. In primary schools, the rate was 53.0 percent and in middle schools, 27.1 percent. The school boys' rate was 33.2 percent and the school girls' 55.6 percent, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The rates were different by grades in middle schools. The rates were different by areas (Myons) (p<0.001). The adult worms collected from the students were Pediculus humanus var. capitis.
parasitology ; arthropod ; head louse ; Pediculus humanus capitis ; epidemiology

In order to know the prevalence of head louse among the school children in rural area, we visited 3 primary schools and a kindergarten in Sanbuk-myon, Mungyong-gun, Kyongsangbuk-do in July 1985, and examined the children to identify the adult worms of head louse and/or its nits on the hair. The overall infestation rate was 91.9% among 420 children examined, and there was a difference between schools (P < 0.05). the school girls' rate, 96.1% was higher than that of bods' 88.9%(P < 0.05). By grade, the rate of infant school was 88.5% and 1st to 6th grade were 100, 100, 95.8, 90.4 89.7, 80.0% respectively. Above result indicates that the head louse is an important health problem in this community. Therefore, the chemotherapy and the effort to improve the hygiene are necessary in this community by physicians, teachers and health administrators.
parasitology-arthropoda ; head louse ; Pediculus humanus capitis ; epidemiology

The head louse infestation had been no problem since 1960s in Korea. However, the present study revealed highest infestation rate among the primary school children in Seosan-gun, Chungnam Province in July 1983. The cases of louse positive were determined by identifying the adult worms and/or their nits on scalp and hairs. The overall louse positive rate among 615 children examined was 73.5 percent. The rate was higher in girls (78.8 percent) than in boys (67.6 percent) and was highest in 3rd-4th school grades. It was observed that the more the number of family members the higher the infestation rate of children. The positive children were treated with 20 percent benzyl benzoate solution after the test for louscidal effect in petri dish. However, establishment of intensive control measure is needed to prevent further infestation.
parasitology-arthropoda ; Pediculus humanus capitis ; head louse ; epidemiology ; benzyl benzoate