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Prevalence and Alternative Treatment of Head-Lice Infestation in Rural Thailand: A Community-Based Study.

TLDR
Ivermectin may be an alternative choice for head-lice treatment, especially in remote areas, and was considered a preferable treatment option, and safe and effective for field-based practice.
Abstract
Head-lice infestation, pediculosis capitis, remains a public-health burden in many countries. The widely used first-line pediculicides and alternative treatments are often too costly for use in poor socio-economic settings. Ivermectin has been considered an alternate treatment for field practice. This study was composed of 2 parts, a cross-sectional survey and an intervention study. The main objectives were to determine the prevalence and potential factors associated with head-lice infestation, and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral ivermectin administration. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 890 villagers in rural areas along Thai-Myanmar border. Females with infestations were eligible for the intervention study, and 181 participated in the intervention study. A post-treatment survey was conducted to assess acceptance of ivermectin as a treatment choice. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and a generalized-estimation-equation model adjusted for cluster effect. The study revealed the prevalence of head-lice infestation was 50% among females and only 3% among males. Age stratification showed a high prevalence among females aged <20 years, and among 50% of female school-children. The prevalence was persistent among those with a history of infestation. The major risk factors were residing in a setting with other infected cases, and sharing a hair comb. The study also confirmed that ivermectin was safe and effective for field-based practice. It was considered a preferable treatment option. In conclusion, behavior-change communication should be implemented to reduce the observed high prevalence of head-lice infestation. Ivermectin may be an alternative choice for head-lice treatment, especially in remote areas.

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Journal ArticleDOI

Presence of the knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) collected from primary school children of Thailand.

TL;DR: This is the first study detecting permethrin resistance among human head lice from Thailand and PCR-RFLP is an easy technique to demonstrate the kdr mutation in head louse.
Journal ArticleDOI

Assessing the link between head lice infestation and selected cognitive-behavioral factors in a sample of Iranian female adolescents.

TL;DR: Perceived severity and self-efficacy were the statistically significant predictors of head lice infestation and use of preventive behaviors in female adolescents in Iran and should be considered as the key categories when developing prevention programs.
Journal ArticleDOI

Broadening the range of use cases for ivermectin - a review of the evidence.

TL;DR: A broad spectrum antiparasitic agent that interferes with glutamate-gated chloride channels found in invertebrates but not in vertebrate species has been used to control neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as soiltransmitted helminths and scabies.

Pediculosis Humanis (Lice, Capitis, Pubis)

TL;DR: Head lice are the most common lice and the three varieties that are parasitic to humans are Pediculus humanus capitis (head louse), Pthirus pubis (crab louse) and Pediculum humanus (body louse).
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

Scabies and pediculosis

Olivier Chosidow
- 04 Mar 2000 - 
TL;DR: Association with other disorders are common: infections with human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus I (HTLV-I) and HIV are associated with scabies, and trench fever and exanthematous typhus with pediculosis.
Journal ArticleDOI

Worldwide prevalence of head lice.

TL;DR: The review shows that pediculosis capitis is widespread throughout the world and does not discriminate on socioeconomic status grounds, and head lice infestation is a dynamic process that can spread hypergeometrically in closed environments such as schools and in the community.
Journal ArticleDOI

Oral Ivermectin versus Malathion Lotion for Difficult-to-Treat Head Lice

TL;DR: For difficult-to-treat head-lice infestation, oral ivermectin, given twice at a 7-day interval, had superior efficacy as compared with topical 0.5% malathion lotion, a finding that suggests that it could be an alternative treatment.
Journal ArticleDOI

Epidemiology of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok, Thailand.

TL;DR: Pediculosis is a common public health problem affecting primary schoolchildren in eastern area of Bangkok and those levels are epidemic importance.
Journal ArticleDOI

Prevalence of Head Lice Infestation and Its Associated Factors among Primary School Students in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

TL;DR: The prevalence of head lice infestation among Iranian primary school children is relatively high with more prevalence among girls, and it is found that economic, social, cultural, behavioral, and hygienic factors are associated with this infestation.
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Trending Questions (1)
What are the preventive measures that can be implemented to reduce the prevalence of head lice in orphanages?

The provided paper does not mention preventive measures specifically for orphanages. The paper focuses on the prevalence and alternative treatment of head lice in rural areas of Thailand.