Prevalence of Pediculus Capitis Infestation Among School Children of Chinese Refugees Residing in Mountainous Areas of Northern Thailand

Chia-Kwung Fan, Chien-Wei Liao, Ming-Shuan Wu, Neng-Yeou Hu, Kua-Eyre Su
2004 Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences  
An epidemiologic survey of Pediculus capitis infestation among Akka aboriginal and Han children of Chinese refugees living in mountainous areas at elevations of 1,100 to 1,400 m in Chiang-Rai Province of northern Thailand was conducted during January 2003. Of the 303 children examined, 43 (14.2%) had P. capitis infestation. The overall infestation rate for P. capitis in Akka children (29.3%, 12/41) was significantly higher than that in Han children (11.8%, 31/262; χ 2 = 8.161, p = 0.002). The
more » ... evalence in Akka (52.2%, 12/23) and Han girls (19.7%, 31/157) was higher than that in Akka (0%) and Han boys (0%), respectively (p < 0.001), and the prevalence was higher in Akka girls than in Han girls (χ 2 = 10.978, p = 0.001). The high prevalence of P. capitis infestation among these girls was possibly due to poor environmental hygiene and unavailability of sufficient water.
doi:10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70104-4 pmid:15191220 fatcat:i655qjhaf5cr7c2boyvxv7i6ee