Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Prevalence of pediculosis capitis among Korean children

Jeong-Min Oh1, In Yong Lee, Won-Ja Lee

  • 1Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, Medical Immunology Center, IBST, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, 380-701, South Korea.

Parasitology Research
|August 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Head lice infestation (HLI) affects 4.1% of Korean children, with higher rates in girls and orphanage residents. While prevalence decreased in rural areas, HLI remains a concern for young students.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Pediculus humanus capitis, or head lice, causes scalp pruritus, primarily in children.
  • Head lice infestation (HLI) is a common pediatric health issue globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of head lice infestation among primary schoolchildren and kindergarteners in Korea.
  • To identify risk factors associated with head lice infestation in the pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving the examination of 15,373 children from primary schools and kindergartens, plus 33 children from an orphanage.
  • Data collected on age, sex, school grade, and location (urban/rural) to analyze infestation rates.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of HLI was 4.1%, with higher rates in rural (4.7%) versus urban (3.7%) areas.
  • Girls (6.5%) had a significantly higher infestation rate than boys (1.9%).
  • Infestation rates were highest in kindergartners (3.2%) and lowest in sixth graders (2.1%), with an orphanage group showing a 66.7% prevalence.

Conclusions:

  • Despite a decrease in rural areas, head lice infestation remains a significant public health problem for young children in Korea.
  • Targeted interventions may be necessary for specific demographics, such as girls and children in institutional settings.

More Related Videos

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment06:47

Effects of Exposure of Formaldehyde to a Rat Model of Atopic Dermatitis Induced by Neonatal Capsaicin Treatment

Published on: September 27, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types01:20

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...