School Nurses' Perceptions of and Experiences with Head Lice

Abstract

Researchers examined school nurses' perceptions of head lice, perceived self-efficacy in dealing with head lice, and personal experience in reducing head lice problems. Survey data from a two-wave mailing from 382 school nurses found most nurses supported a "no-nit" rule of forced absenteeism of any child with nits in their hair (60%). They perceived OTC treatments for head lice as very effective in killing adult lice (66%), and 9% perceived them as not effective. Nurses had a high efficacy expectation regarding their ability to control head lice (63%), and they had high outcome expectations regarding the results of their work with students and families of students (66%). Most nurses received their information about head lice from professional journals (76%) and professional conferences/conventions (62%).

Head lice: Scientific assessment of the nit sheath with clinical ramifications and therapeutic options

“…9 Indeed, it can take as much as 9 hours for a parent to thoroughly search and remove all nits from a child's scalp. 23 Various commercial chemical formulations, often based on the former belief that the sheath is made of chitin, 24 have been marketed, 25,26 but these fail to assist in nit removal. 8 Better understanding of insect glues may allow us to develop compounds so that the liquid secretions from the collateral glands do not solidify when placed with the louse egg onto human hair.…”

Survey assessment of parental perceptions regarding head lice

“…Although there have been numerous studies on head lice and their control, little work has been performed to evaluate the understanding, opinions, and actions of populations regarding head lice, although one study on this subject was carried out on school nurses in the USA 11 . There is an onus on parents to resolve their children's infestation problem.…”

Fomite transmission in head lice

“…A national survey of school nurses revealed that 82% strongly believed in fomite transmission and that difficulties in eliminating head lice infestations relates to not taking satisfactory precautions to clear the environment of lice and eggs. 5 In that vein, 95% of school nurses suggest vacuuming of floors and furniture to prevent reinfestation. 6 The disagreement regarding the role of fomite transmission has previously been controversial because there has been little experimental work on this question, and there are no clinical studies that have been specifically designated to test this hypothesis.…”