Self-diagnosis of active head lice infestation by individuals from an impoverished community: high sensitivity and specificity.
Pilger, Daniel;
Khakban, Adak;
Heukelbach, Jorg;
Feldmeier, Hermann;
(2008)
Self-diagnosis of active head lice infestation by individuals from an impoverished community: high sensitivity and specificity.
Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo, 50 (2).
pp. 121-122.
ISSN 0036-4665
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s0036-46652008000200011
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To compare sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of self-diagnosis for head lice infestation with visual inspection, we conducted a study in an urban slum in Brazil. Individuals were asked about active head lice infestation (self-diagnosis); we performed visual inspection and thereafter wet combing (gold standard). Of the 175 individuals included, 77 (44%) had an active head lice infestation. For self-diagnosis, sensitivity (80.5%), specificity (91.8%), PPV (88.6%) and NPV (85.7%) were high. Sensitivity of visual inspection was 35.1%. Public health professionals can use self-diagnosis as a diagnostic tool, to estimate accurately prevalence of pediculosis in a community, and to monitor ongoing intervention strategies.
