Head Lice Contamination with Emphasis on Effective Therapeutic Methods in Schoolchildren in Mashhad, Iran, during 2017-2018

Introduction and purpose: Head lice as external parasite contamination is one of the health-threatening issues that despite the upgrading of health, is still a health problem. Methods: This clinical trial study was carried out on 3062 elementary school female students examined for head lice infection in Mashhad, Iran, using cluster-randomized sampling method. The infected individuals were divided into six treatment groups. Three types of drugs, including lindane 1%, permethrin 1%, and dimethicone 4%, along with vinegar were used in this study. The results of the treatment were recorded after 7, 14, and 21 days during the reanalysis of the students. The results were analyzed by the Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: The results showed that 417 (13.6%) students were infected with head lice. The levels of efficacy in the treatment groups of permethrin 1%, lindane 1%, and dimethicone 4% were 27.2%, 31%, and 30.4% after 1 week of treatment, 83.2%, 69.8%, and 69.6% after 2 weeks, and 96%, 91.5%, and 91.4% after 3 weeks, respectively. The levels of the effectiveness of the shampoos with vinegar were 64.2%, 96.1%, and 67.6% after 1 week, 90.6%, 100%, and 100% after 2 weeks, and 100%, 100%, and 100 % after 3 weeks, respectively. Conclusion: According to the obtained results of this study, permethrin 1% and dimethicone lotion are recommended for the elimination of head lice contamination in children. Moreover, the efficacy of permethrin 1%, lindane 1%, and dimethicone 4% after 3 week, compared to their use, along with vinegar was shown to be 100%.