Effect of Education and Regular Examination on the Prevalence of Head Louse Infestations in Adana

Do some families act as a reservoir of head lice in the community? Surveys for prevalence and insecticide resistance suggest this is the case

“…The two sets of data that did appear to show some later decline over time (Downs et al 2007 ; RCGP 2007 ) probably only reflected a change of habit by caregivers from use of prescribed medications to those bought over the counter. Education programmes for hair care management and awareness of head lice, conducted in communities where ready access to advice and treatments are not normally available, have appeared to make a positive difference to prevalence, especially the most recent study in Türkiye that showed a reduction almost to zero by the fourth screening visit (Kavur et al 2022 ). However, the report did not state over what interval this impact was achieved, and it remains to be seen whether such impacts are sustainable or whether prevalence would rapidly re-establish after the investigation ended, the question that currently follows on from the findings in some areas of significantly reduced prevalence of lice subsequent to the Covid-19 pandemic (Bonanno et al 2022 ; Galassi et al 2021 ; Launay et al 2022 ; Mumcuoglu et al 2022 ).…”

“…One group in Thailand found a 44% reduction in the intervention population compared with 65% increase in the controls, with incidence rates of 6.14 and 12.6% respectively over the study period (Yingklang et al 2018 ). The other in Türkiye found a reduction of overall prevalence from 15.22 to 1.71% over an unspecified period (Kavur et al 2022 ). Nobody has yet demonstrated whether these statistically significant short-term outcomes can have a long-term impact on the infestation rates in the societies involved.…”

“…The majority of these have been one-off investigations with little or no follow-up, and as such, do not provide more than just a snap-shot of what was happening in one relatively small community on one day. A few studies have followed up on the initial findings, either to check on the effectiveness of an intervention (Gholamnia Shirvani et al 2011 ; Kavur et al 2022 ; Moshki et al 2017 ; Nor Faiza et al 2019 ; Yingklang et al 2018 ), the influence of demographic characteristics (Gholamnia Shirvani et al 2011 ; Kavur et al 2022 ; Moshki et al 2017 ; Nor Faiza et al 2019 ; Willems et al 2005 ; Yingklang et al 2018 ) or attempting to follow communities over a longer period, such as screening in consecutive years to look for influence of resistance (Downs et al 1999 , 2007 ). Generally, such studies have been conducted in schools, these being the perceived focal point of louse transmission as well as the convenient location for accessing children at the age when they are most likely to catch lice.…”

“…Some recent studies have focussed on educational targets for students to improve their self-care and behaviours in relation to head louse transmission using questionnaires and training aids (Gholamnia Shirvani et al 2011 ; Kavur et al 2022 ; Moshki et al 2017 ; Nor Faiza et al 2019 ; Yingklang et al 2018 ). Each has shown improved knowledge and attitudes towards reduction of infestation after 2 weeks to 2 months, but only two studies reported a specific reduction of infestation outcome (Kavur et al 2022 ; Yingklang et al 2018 ). One group in Thailand found a 44% reduction in the intervention population compared with 65% increase in the controls, with incidence rates of 6.14 and 12.6% respectively over the study period (Yingklang et al 2018 ).…”

“…Nobody has yet demonstrated whether these statistically significant short-term outcomes can have a long-term impact on the infestation rates in the societies involved. Recent studies have also highlighted social economic status (SES) as an important factor in determining both attitude and activity in relation to louse control (Gholamnia Shirvani et al 2011 ; Kavur et al 2022 ; Moshki et al 2017 ; Nor Faiza et al 2019 ; Willems et al 2005 ; Yingklang et al 2018 ), and noted that there are links between SES, educational status of parents, “clustering” (number of household members), and ability to manage infestation. However, beyond basic training, there has been no follow-up to aid households in louse management.…”