title: Prevalence and treatment of Pediculus humanus capitis with 1% permethrin and 0.4% d-phenothrin in Turkey.
abstract: Pediculosis humanus capitis (head lice) is an important public health problem among school children. In our study, 20,612 schoolchildren (10,367 boys, 10,245 girls) were examined for Pediculus humanus capitis in 36 elementary schools between December 1996 and February 1998 in Ankara, Turkey. The prevalence of pediculosis capitis infestation was found to be 3.4% (701/20,612). Of these, 382 students were treated with application of 1% permethrin cream rinse, and 184 students with 0.4% d-phenothrin shampoo. On day 14 of the controlled trial, the success rates were 93.7% in the 1% permethrin cream rinse group and 75.5% in the 0.4% d-phenothrin shampoo group. The 1% permethrin cream rinse was also significantly more active in pediculicidal efficacy when compared to the 0.4% d-phenothrin shampoo (p<0.001). As a result, these findings demonstrate that pediculosis capitis still remains a widespread health problem.
authors.affiliation: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, School of Medicine, Division of Parasitology, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. mtanyuksel@gata.edu.tr
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanyuksel
authors.forename: R Engin
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Araz
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albay
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aycicek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010374:Pediculus; D026023:Permethrin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006203:Hair Preparations; D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin; C006166:phenothrin