Assessment of impact on quality of life in children attending skin outpatient department with pediculosis capitis: A study in Western Rajasthan

Abstract

Background: Pediculosis capitis is an endemic infestation prevalent worldwide and common among primary school girls with low socioeconomic background. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the various risk factors associated with pediculosis, Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), and its correlation with the various risk factors. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one children of age group of 6–12 years who were clinically diagnosed with pediculosis capitis at our outpatient clinic were included in this study. Demographic details and risk factors along with CDLQI were obtained from the patients on a preformed written pro forma. Statistical Analysis: It was performed on the SPSS software version 22 using the Mann–Whitney U and ANOVA test; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 61 patients, all were female with a moderate impact on quality-of-life children. Mean CDLQI was 9.8 ± 6.04 and most common affected domain was of symptoms and feelings with a mean of 3.53 ± 1.45. Other domains affected were sleep and treatment-seeking difficulties with a mean of 1.69 ± 1.03 and 1.64 ± 0.81, respectively. Girls of the rural community with longer hairs, poor hygiene, and lower socioeconomic class, i.e., class 5 had a higher impact on their lives as compared to others with a mean CDLQI of 14.83 ± 6.08, 10.36 ± 5.43, 15.06 ± 6.51, and 13.42 ± 6.74, respectively. Conclusion: Community-based health programs and delousing campaigns are needed to create the awareness among people so that good hygiene practices can act as a primary preventive measure against pediculosis capitis and prevent any deleterious impact on the lives of children.