Pediculosis in a School Population

Abstract

This nonexperimental, retrospective study of elementary, middle school, and high school children (a) determined the prevalence of pediculosis, (b) identified populations susceptible to head lice infestation, and (c) examined the role of the school nurse in pediculosis management. The findings showed the highest prevalence of pediculosis was among younger school-age children, and girls were 3 times more likely to be infested than boys. Hispanic children had the highest rate of infestation, followed by Caucasian children. African American children showed a 15% infestation rate, a finding not supported by other studies. The role of the school nurse in pediculosis management was restricted by time and budgetary constraints. Findings of this study support the need for a standardized data collection system for pediculosis in all school districts.