Review : Head louse infection: a health promotion activity

Abstract

■ Head lice are the most common human ectoparasite

■ Although an infectious disease, louse infection rarely cause physical problems other than an itchy scalp

■ Social stigma surrounding infection induces feelings of shame, anger and embarrassment for families

■ Preventative health education and promotion via screening can effectively reduce the incidences of lice infection

■ The Mosaic Model of Treatment is recommended as the most up-to-date treatment regime, suitable for use on all children

Keywords

Head lice health promotion infection management screening.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Anon. (1998) The drug treatment of head lice. Merseyside and Cheshire Drug Information Letter ; (115): 1-4.

Burgess IF (1995) Head lice resistant to pytheroid insecticides in Britain. British Medical Journal; 11: 752.

Choisidow O. (1994) Controlled study of malathion and d-phenothrin lotions for pediculus humanus var capitus infested school children. Lancet; 344: 1724-1727.

Department of Health. (1991) Health of the Nation. London: HMSO .

Dodd CS ( 1999) Interventions for treating head lice. (Cochrane Review). The Cochrane Library Issue 2, Oxford: Update Software.

Downie RS , Fyfe C. , Tannahill A. (1990) Health Promotion. Models and Values. New York: Oxford University Press.

Ewles L. , Simnett I. (1985) Promoting Health. A Practical Guide. London: Scutari Press.

Ewles L. , Simnett I. (1987) Promoting Health. A Practical Guide to Health Education . Chichester: John Wiley and Sons .

Ewles L. , Simnett I. (1995) Promoting Health. A Practical Guide. [3 rd Ed.] London: Scutari Press.

10.

Forster D. (1996) Health Promotion. In: Kenworthy N , Snowley G , Gilling C. [Eds]. Common Foundation Studies in Nursing. Chp. 7. Singapore: Churchill Livingston.

11.

MeReC Bulletin National Prescribing Centre. ( 1999) Management of head louse infection. MeReC Bulletin; 10(5):17-20.

12.

Naidoo J. , Wills J. (1994) Health Promotion. Foundations for Practice. London: Balliere Tindall.

13.

Naidoo J. , Wills J. (2000) Health Promotion. Foundations for Practice. [2 nd Ed] London: Balliere Tindall.

14.

NHS UK Guidance. (2000) Head lice. http://www.prodigy.nhs.uk/guidance/CRs/Headlice.htm

15.

Simmons R. (1999) Nit Wit. Nursing Times Skin Care Supplement; 95(37): 15-16.

16.

Tones K. (1990). "Why theorise: Ideology in health education". Health Education Journal, 49: 1.

17.

The Public Health Medicine Environmental Group Executive Committee (TPHMEGEO). (1998) Head lice: A report for Consultants in Communicable Disease Control (CCDCs). http://www.fam.english.demon.co.uk/phmeghl.htm

18.

Vander Scichele RH , Dezeure EM , Bogaert MC (1995) Systematic review of clinical efficacy of topical treatments for head lice. British Medical Journal; 311: 604-608.