Survey on prevalent factors of pediculus humanus capitis infection in middle and primary school students of rural area of Bengbu

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the infection rate of head louse and personal-social factors.Methods: The eggs,nymph or adults of pediculus humanus(P. h.) capitis on the head of the children were examined and their personal hygiene habits,parents' education level and occupation,living condition and the children number of the family were investigated.Results: The total infection rate was 19.16%.The male infection rate was 12.81% and female 29.33%(P<0.01).The middle school students' infection rate was 10.00%,and the pupils' 27.67%.The infection rate was higher in students who did not have the habits of often washing their head and having a bath or shared washing tools with their family members.The parents' education level and occupation,living condition and the children number of the family were the factors for the students' infection of P.h.capitis.Conclusions: The high infection rate of P.h.capitis of the rural students is closely associated with the bad personal hygiene habit of the kids,the parents' education level and occupation,their living condition and the children number of the family.