Investigation of the prevalence of Pediculus in Alahaci village primary school students in the Sivas province [Sivas Alahaci köyü ilkö?retim okulu ö?rencilerinde Pediculus yayginli?inin araştirilmasi]

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Pediculus in the countryside of the Sivas Province. The Alahaci village, which is one of the central villages, is about 50 km from the city center, and the students in the village primary school were investigated for the presence of head and body Pediculus. The presence of Pediculus species was investigated in 178 students, who included 104 males and 74 females with an age-range of 6-14 years. Even though head lice were seen in 17 (9.49%) of the 178 students under investigation, no body lice were detected. During the survey, no adult lice were seen and the presence of lice was shown by the presence of nits that had been left on the hairs by the female Pediculus capitis. Every hair on which nits were seen was cut and put individually in a package marked by the student's name. These packages were taken to the laboratory and the nits were examined under the microscope. Only 2 (1.92%) out of 104 males were positive, but 15 (20.27%) out of 74 females were found to be infested. Similar results were found by other workers who had a similar high prevalence rate in female students as in our present study. Nine out of the 17 positive cases were in the first grade. Since personal hygiene is not well developed in this age group, it is important to point out that a high incidence pediculosis is to be expected.