An evaluative study to find the effectiveness of two methods of management of pediculosiscapitis among children of selected schools of Udupi District

activities. 1 Currently, pediculosis affects 6-12 million persons in the United States each year, and this number continues to rise. Social stigma and persistent misconceptions complicate the implementation of appropriate management strategies. Diagnosis is made on the basis of finding nits (i.e., silvery-white eggs firmly attached to the hair shaft), concentrated on the crown, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck. Transmission occurs by direct contact with an infested person or indirectly by contact with clothing, personal grooming articles, bedding, or upholstered furniture containing viable nits or lice. Although three chemical agents are currently available; permethrin 1.0% (Nix Creme Rinse) is the treatment of choice. Environmental treatment is also necessary for the eradication of the infestation. Health care personnel who come in contact with this population need to be well informed of the facts in order to disseminate accurate information for diagnosis and management. 2 Indian studies have reported a wide – ranging prevalence of pediculosis in different groups, 51.26% among villagers, 6.4% among school children, and 4.6% in the semi urban community. Pediculosis is one of the most common parasitic infestations in the community, responsible for a high level of morbidity. The condition in most cases simply reflects poor hygiene. A house to house survey was conducted in 5 villages of Wardha district, Maharastra,with a combined population of 2063. A study conducted among 337 males and 329 females up to age 14 years found a prevalence rate of pediculosiscapitis infestation of 20.42%. Infestation was detected in 8.9% of males and 32.2% of females. The infestation rate increased from 9.31% to 30.17% with the age group from 0-4 years to 10 – 14 years. 54.4% of children did not wash their hair daily; 35.6% of females and 21.3% of males. When hair was washed on a daily basis, the infestation rate was 11.8%, compared to 27.6% when the washing was done irregularly. Teaching the community about personal hygiene and the availability of anti- pediculosis drugs could lead to the reduction in the prevalence of pediculosiscapitis among children. 3