Socioeconomic status, family background and other key factors influence the management of head lice in Norway

Abstract

How head lice infestations are managed by households is an important but generally neglected issue in head lice research. In the present study, we investigate actions taken against head lice by Norwegian households in association with socioeconomic status, family background, school-related variables and other key factors. Repeat questionnaires distributed to caretakers of the same elementary school children during a 2-year period enabled us to study both previous head lice management and any changes in this management through time. Households from 12 schools spanning the main socioeconomic variation found in Norway participated in the study. All students with active head lice infestation were treated in the four investigated periods. Most caretakers used a thorough head lice checking technique and informed others of own infestation. Checking frequency was low as most children were inspected less than monthly. The best determinant of increased checking frequency and thoroughness was personal experience with head lice. The increased awareness, however, seemed to be somewhat short-lived, as there was a decrease in checking frequency and thoroughness within 1 year after infestation. Personal experience with head lice also increased general knowledge related to the parasite. Parents born in developing countries checked their children for head lice more frequently, although less thoroughly, informed fewer contacts when infested, used pediculicides preventively more often and knew less about head lice than parents born in developed countries. Households with highly educated mothers had a lower checking frequency, but their knowledge and willingness to inform others was high. Single parents were more concerned about economic costs and kept children home from school longer while infested than other parents. As head lice management varied among socioeconomic groups and with parental background, differentiated advice should be considered in the control of head lice. The biannual focus on head lice during the 2 years of investigation increased checking thoroughness, while checking frequency remained unchanged. Based on the results, we suggest new head lice management guidelines for health authorities.

Lindane Shampoo for Head Lice Treatment among Female Secondary School Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: An Interventional Study

“…The socioeconomic status of the population in the northern area of Jeddah is higher than that of the southern population. Surprisingly, however, the prevalence of head lice infestation was higher in students from the northern area, which contradicts the generally accepted hypothesis that head lice infestation generally occurs in lower socioeconomic groups [8]. Notably, schools in the north have a greater proportion of students with light skin color relative to those with dark skin color.…”

Prevalence of Pediculosis among Students in Pakistan

“…In males, the prevalence was slightly higher (51%), than females (49%). Contrary results were found by Rukke et al [13]. It was found in the current examination; that rate of head louse was high among students having more than five family members (82.7%), as compare to those having less than five family members (17.3), because it is a parasitic infestation and can be easily transmitted from one family member to another via head-head contact and clothes.…”

“…It was found in the current examination; that rate of head louse was high among students having more than five family members (82.7%), as compare to those having less than five family members (17.3), because it is a parasitic infestation and can be easily transmitted from one family member to another via head-head contact and clothes. Similar results were found by Rukke et al [13].…”

“…Rate of head louse was high among students whose parents are illiterate (39.6%). Similar results were found by Rukke et al [13].…”

Impact of family ownerships, individual hygiene, and residential environments on the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in urban and rural areas of northwest of Iran

“…Pediculosis capitis is an endemic parasitosis which affects the larger part of school population all over the world in both developing and developed countries, and the most affected ages are 7-14 years old (Chouela et al 1997;Rukke et al 2014). This infestation readily spreads between co-dwelling adults and children, regardless of their social class or ethnic group which presents a public health problem difficult to solve.…”