Uncovering family experiences with head lice: the difficulties of eradication

Abstract

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are not a significant public health concern but elicit great alarm among parents. The investigators host information websites through which they field several hundred queries annually. This study investigated the experience of those treating head lice infections focusing on control difficulties. A short web-based questionnaire (available August, 2006 and February, 2007) yielded two hundred and ninety-four eligible responses which were analysed using grounded theory analysis processes. The mainly female (91.1%), working (76.9%), respondents from Australia, U.S.A., Canada and UK identified constraints for effective treatment that encompass technological, biological and social issues. Product concerns, treating children and blaming others for re-infection were among the main themes. Available treatment technologies are incompatible with the lifestyles of families in developed market economies. The treatment methodology, nit comb and topically applied liquid, is several thousand years old. Future research and development efforts need to account for the social constraints experienced by lay consumers.