Epidemiology and control of human head louse in Malaysia.
A survey of 4.112 primary school children living in and around Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, revealed that 12.9% of the children were infested with Pediculus humanus capitis. Indians (28.3%) and Malays (18.9%) have a higher prevalence than Chinese (4.6%). The higher prevalence among Indians and Malays correlates well with their lower socio-economic status in the community; long hair also contributes to the higher rates of pediculosis among them. The prevalence rate was found to be related to socio-economic status, length of hair, family size, age, crowding and personal hygiene. Treatment with 0.2% and 0.5% malathion in coconut oil gave cure rates of 93% and 100%. Treatment with gammexane and actellic at 0.5% concentration gave a cure rate of 100% against adults and nymphs of Pediculus humanus capitis.
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005006:Ethnicity; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D008294:Malathion / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D008294:Malathion