ABSTRACT

The study aimed to determine the psychological and social difficulties faced by primary school children and their families, particularly from the mothers’ perspective, when treatment for Pediculosis capitis fails.

This descriptive study comprised 14 mothers of 19 children in the primary school in Kocaeli. The children and families were infested with lice and nits and were unsuccessfully treated with pediculicides. Data were collected by a semi-structured questionnaire with in-depth individual interviews with a qualitative approach from mothers.

Seven social difficulties were experienced by children and families during treatment from the mothers’ perspective, lack of support from other family members; children’s exposure to verbal and physical violence; exclusion from the school and society due to stigma; children’s refusal to be treated; difficulties in the physical removal of the nits; inability to pay for the pediculicide; and inappropriate physical conditions of the house. Eight psychological difficulties were experienced by children and their families: worry, upheaval, embarrassment/ shame, guilt, being overwhelmed, disgust, scorn and despair.

Parents and children, whose treatment for Pediculosis capitis failed, experienced many psychological and social difficulties. Further studies should be conducted to determine the relation to pediculosis management and their difficulties of chidren and families from different socio-economic levels.

Keywords: Head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, difficulty, mothers’ perspective, school children