ABSTRACT

Pediculus capitis (head louse) which causes pediculosis is an important infectious agent in our country and in the world. In this study, we investigated 1917 students in three different primary schools with different socio-economic and cultural conditions in Aydın, in May, 2003. Either the adult or egg forms of Pediculus capitis were found in 206(10.7%) students of whom 185(19.6%) were females and 21(2.2%), males. The prevalence of Pediculus capitis was 20.08% in the same schools, in Aydın in 1997.Thus, although the prevalence of Pediculus capitis is decreasing, pediculosis is still a public health problem.