Effectiveness of Neem Oil Upon Pediculosis

Abstract

Background: It is widely accepted that the school environment favors in the spread of the infestation simply be- cause it affords opportunity for continual close contact of children. So the investigator motivated to try out neem oil application and to see its effect in children with pediculosis. Neem oil is available locally, is of low cost and effective for treating head lice. Objective: To test whether the neem oil is effective in the treatment of pediculosis among school children. Methods: An experimental research approach with true experimental design was used. The present study was conducted in the Don Bosco Beatitudes Orphanage, Vyasarpady, for control group and Dazzling Stone Orphanage for experimental group, Kundrathur. The sample size was 60 and was selected through simple random sampling method, 30 were assigned to control group and 30 were assigned to experimental group. The investigator used a demographic variable proforma, degree of pediculosis, observational checklist on signs and symptoms of pediculosis, and interview schedule on knowledge regarding prevention of pediculosis and a rating scale on the level of satisfaction on application of neem oil. Results In control group, there was no significant difference in the degree of pediculosis before neem oil application (M=2.70, SD=0.450) and after neem oil application (M=2.73, SD=0.450). In contrast, in the experimental group, degree of pediculosis was decreased (M=0.70, SD=0.466) when compared to the degree of pediculosis before neem oil application (M=2.73, SD=0.450). The difference was found to be statistically significant at p< 0.001 degree of pediculosis and it can be attributed to the effectiveness of neem oil application. Most of the children (73.3%) were highly satisfied and only a significant percentage of children (26.7%) were satisfied with the neem oil application in the experimental group. Conclusion: It is possible to reduce pediculosis by the application of neem oil among school children.