School Head Lice Policy - Motivation and Scope

Motivation and Scope

...it is generally considered that the source of most infestations is at the school...

—Norman G. Gratz, 1997

Most westernized countries consider head louse infestation to be undesirable, and eradication of head lice among school children has been a public health goal since before the first world war. Head louse infestation occurs primarily in children, so minimizing transmission in this age group is potentially the most cost-effective way of controlling head lice epidemics.

To this end, schools have implemented policies designed to identify, isolate, and treat students. Unfortunately, this basic outline is complicated by a number of controversial issues. As of 2008, no uniform school head lice policy is implemented worldwide, and researchers disagree as to the most appropriate policies. Contributing to this controversy is a lack of data on fundamental questions concerning communicability of head lice in school settings, and the efficacy of particular school policies.

School head lice policies deal with a number of issues, most of which are controversial:

  • Circumstances under which children will be inspected
  • Criteria to infer infestation
  • Procedures for dealing with infested children upon discovery
  • Criteria to permit previously infested children to return to school (e.g., the "no-nit" policy)

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