Background and purpose: Head lice infestation caused by Pediculus capitis and its treatment is a worldwide and historical concern.
Materials and methods: This study has been done with cooperation with the healthʹs deputy of medical sciences university in different cities of Hamadan province in 2000-2001. Screening was done in 120 girlʹs elementary schools during which 7291 students were examined for head lice infestation. About 13.5% (975) of the girls were detected with head lice. The infested girls were divided into three treatment groups with three kinds of shampooes containing pediculicide and one control group with ordinary shampoo (placebo). In a randomized evaluator, blind clinical trial to compare pediculicidal and ovicidal effects of shampooes against head lice, the participants assigned to groups to use the shampooes based on manufactureʹs instructions and followed up three weeks after treatment. Statistical analyses were done by X2 test and line logarithmic procedure.
Results: The results show that cure rates (no live adult and nymph of lice were seen on physical re-examination of scalp), at the end of the first week were 29,36, 34 and 15 percent for d-phenothrin 0.2%, lindane 1% , permethrinl% and placebo respectively. These cure rates for treatment shampooes showed significant differences when compared to placebo (0.001
0.05). but at the end of the third week, the cure rates for
the three mentioned shampooes were 88, 88 and 87 percent and also there is no statisticall differences in their efficacy. It should be noted that the results of ordinary shampoo is just for the first week after usage. Line logarithmic analysis of results shows that efficacy of different pediculicide shampoo (p value=0.58) in different times (p value-0.25) have no difference. but the cure rate of cases varied three weeks after treatment. (p value<0.0001). This shows the residual effect of pediculicides on new hatched nymphs.
Conclusion: According to the results obtained, economical viewpoint, and popular acceptance, lindane % 1 shampoo is advocated as the first choice for treatment of head lice infestion if its usage is done under manufactureʹs instruction and with caution combine with physical removal of nits with fine-toothed comb. Finally, educative campaign of parents and school personnel is reinforced.
