A Study of Awareness of Mothers on Pediculosis

Objective

A study to identify the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among school children, to assess the knowledge of mothers of children with pediculosis capitis on pediculosis capitis and its management and to find the association between knowledge of mothers of children with pediculosis capitis and its management.

Study Design

Exploratory survey.

Material and Methods

The schools for the study and children for the management were selected by random method and purposive sampling technique was used to identify the children with pediculosis capitis. Prevalence of pediculosis capitis was identified among 342 children aged between 5 to 13 years from two schools. Among them 135 children were identified with pediculosis capitis and their mothers were included to identify the knowledge on pediculosis capitis and its management.

Statistical Analysis Used

Frequency and percentage and Chi-square tests were used for the analysis.

Results

Prevalence of pediculosis capitis infestation was 46.68% in rural primary school children. Majority (71.7%) of the children belongs to the age group of > 9- 13 years and were females (80%); and belonged to joint families (53.3%). Majority (46.7%) of the parents had no information about the management. Majority (67.4%) of the mothers had average knowledge on pediculosis capitis and its management. There was a significant association between source of information and the knowledge score of mothers (p=0.002)

Conclusion

Prevalence of pediculosis capitis among rural primary school children is very common. Thus creating awareness among mothers about different methods of management and promoting personal hygiene is very important.