Effectiveness of Neem Oil Upon Pediculosis
Lincy Issac*
Asst. Professor
Department of Community Health Nursing. MOSC College of Nursing Kolenchery,
Kerala.
*Corresponding Author E-mail:
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.
KEYWORDS: Effectiveness, Neem oil,
Pediculosis, Children.
INTRODUCTION:
A
child is a marvelous creation of God. India’s children account for more than
one third of its population. 40% (400 million) of India’s population is below
the age of 18 years which is the world’s largest child population and this
population is vulnerable to many diseases. The main health problems encountered
in the child population are low birth weight, malnutrition, infections and
parasitosis, accidents and poisoning, and behavioral problems. Among this
parasitosis is a major health
problem. The global scenario is now
changing towards the use of non toxic plant products having traditional
medicinal use.
NEED
FOR THE STUDY:
In
India, pediculosis is a serious problem in both urban and rural areas.
Pediculosis capitis or head louse infes- tation has been known to be a world
wide public health problem specially among school age children for a long time.
It is widely accepted that the school environment favors in the spread of the
infestation simply because it affords opportunity for continual close contact
of children. The literature says that neem is effective in treating pediculosis
and is also available easily.
STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM:
An
experimental study to assess the effectiveness of neem oil upon pediculosis
among school children at selected orphanages, Chennai.
OBJECTIVES
OF THE STUDY:
1.
To assess the prevalence of
pediculosis among children.
2.
To determine the effectiveness of
neem oil upon pediculosis among children.
3.
To compare the pre intervention
and post intervention status of pediculosis in control and experimental group
of children.
4.
To find out the association
between selected demographic variables with the pre and post intervention
status of pediculosis in control and experimental groups of children.
5.
To assess the knowledge of control
and experimental group of children regarding pediculosis.
6.
To identify the level of
satisfaction after neem oil application in the experimental group of children.
Null Hypotheses:
Ho1
There will be no significant difference between pre and post intervention
status of pediculosis among school children.
Ho2
There will be no significant association between demographic variables and
pre and post intervention
status
of pediculosis among school children.
Ho3
There will be no significant association between demographic variables and
knowledge regarding pediculosis.
METHODOLOGY:
Research approach:
An
experimental approach was applied for the study.
Research Design:
A
true experimental research design was used for this study.
Population:
Children
within the age group of 10 to 15 years.
Sample:
30
children were assigned to control group and 30 children to experimental group.
Sampling Technique:
Simple
random sampling technique adopted for the study.
Intervention Protocol:
Application
of neem oil depends upon the length of the hair for twice a week for 3 weeks in
the duration of 30 minutes.
MAJOR
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:
The
prevalence of pediculosis revealed that about 86% of the school children
residing in the orphanage had pediculosis, which presented as mild and moderate
pediculosis
(25.25%, 60.90%) respectively.
A
significant percentage of the children in the control group were between 12 and
13 years of age (43.3%) and
class
of study 7th -8th (43.3%). Most of the children in the
experimental group were between 10 and 11 years of age (60%) and class of study
5th -6th (60%). Most of the children in both control and
experimental groups were in the orphanage for more than 3 years (53.3%, 56.7%)
and length of hair >15cm (83.3%, 36.7%) respectively.
Most
of the children both in the control and experimental group had 3rd
degree of pediculosis (70%, 73.34%) (Children with mobile lice) before neem oil
application. After neem oil application most of the children in the control
group had 3rd degree of pediculosis (73.3%) as where in the
experimental group had 1st degree (70%) of pediculosis.
Majority
of the children had moderate signs and symptoms (96.7%, 93.3) before neem oil
application both in the control and experimental groups. Most of the children
in the experimental group had mild signs and symptoms (83.3%) after neem oil
application where as in the control group signs and symptoms (93.3%) persist in
the same level.
Most
of the children had inadequate knowledge (76.66%, 63.33%) and significant
percentage of the children had moderately adequate knowledge (23.33%, 36.66%)
both in control and experimental group respectively.
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.
There
was no significant association between the selected demographic variables like
age, class of study, length of stay in the orphanage and length of hair and
signs and symptoms of pediculosis of school children before and after neem oil
application both in the control and experimental groups. Hence the null
hypothesis H02 was not accepted.
There
was no significant association between the selected demographic variables like
age, class of study, length of stay in the orphanage and length of hair and
level of knowledge both in the control and experimental groups. Hence, the null
hypothesis Ho3 was rejected.
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:
A
healthy child is the greatest gift. Today’s children represent literally the
future of the country. Neem oil is available locally, is of low cost and
effective for treating head lice. Azadirachtin, is the most important active
ingredient of neem and it has medicinal properties that will treat the problem.
REFERENCES:
1.
Afaf Ibrahim Meleis (2005).
Pediculosis. Theoretical nursing development and progress. (4thed.).
Philadelphia. Lippincott and Wilkins.
2.
Dipak Naath and Rahman, (2009).
Medicinal plants and their uses, Journal of Health Action, 21(3); 17-19.
3.
Dorothy R Marlow., and Barbara.,
(2006). Pediculosis. Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing, (6th ed.).
Philadelphia, W.B Sounders company 1035.
4.
Eileen. (1998). “Detection and
removal of head lice with an electronic comb”. Journal Of pediatric Nursing,
12(2), 265-268.
Received on 23.06.2021 Modified
on 06.07.2021
Accepted on 22.07.2021 ©A&V Publications All right reserved
Int. J. of Advances
in Nur. Management. 2021; 9(4):376-378.
DOI:
10.52711/2454-2652.2021.00086