Impact of Community Scabies Treatment on Head Lice Prevalence in the Solomon Islands

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Head Lice; Scabies

Treatments: Drug: Ivermectin; Drug: Malathion Shampoo 0.5%; Drug: Permethrin 5%

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03236168

14257

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a pilot study evaluating if treatment for scabies also treats headlice in the same community

Full description

Background:

Scabies and head lice are both ubiquitous ectoparasitic infections that have been identified as common public health problems in the Pacific Island Country Territories. Mass drug administration using ivermectin is increasingly recognised as an effective strategy for scabies treatment and control, however, its possible impact on prevalence of head lice has not been evaluated. Given that oral ivermectin is an effective treatment option for pediculosis capitis, we hypothesise that community treatment with ivermectin for scabies would also provide benefit by reducing prevalence of head lice infestation in the community. We aim to test this hypothesis with a small-scale pilot study in the Solomon Islands.

Methodology:

The study would be carried out at the Atoifi Adventist Hospital campus, on the North-Eastern coast of the island of Malaita. The campus houses an estimated 180 individuals and all residents would be invited to participate in the study and be offered treatment.

At baseline all individuals would undergo a standardized examination to collect data on the presence of scabies, impetigo and head lice. Following examination individuals would be weighed and given directly observed standard treatment for scabies.

Treatment for scabies consists of one oral dose of ivermectin (200 micrograms per kilogram) at day 1 and at day 8.

Individuals with contra-indications (pregnancy, breast feeding, weight under 15kg) would be offered the alternative of 5% permethrin cream and malathion shampoo.

Individuals would be re-examined at 48hours (to assess immediate killing of head lice) and again at 2 weeks. Final follow-up will be at 3 months to establish: 1) whether changes in head lice prevalence have been sustained 2) what the impact of treatment on scabies and impetigo with ivermectin is in this specific community.

Enrollment: 118 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• All participants living in the community will be offered treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with a contradindication to study medication
• Patients unable to provide consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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118 participants in 1 patient group

Intervention Arm

Other group

Description:

This study consists of a single treatment arm. Patients will receive Ivermectin or where contraindicated (Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Weight \<15kg) Permethrin Cream and Malathion shampoo

Treatment:

Drug: Permethrin 5%

Drug: Ivermectin

Drug: Malathion Shampoo 0.5%