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%).