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Head lice project

Head lice in primary schools pilot project

The Head Lice in Primary Schools Pilot Project was initiated in 1997 after head lice management was identified as a priority health issue by numerous schools in the Brisbane South area. The pilot project was co-ordinated by Queensland Health, and conducted in partnership with Education Queensland, James Cook University, the University of Queensland, the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

The pilot project involved the development of head lice management strategies based on the head promoting schools model including the piloting of a head lice management kit. The strategies and resources were piloted in 47 primary schools in the Brisbane South area over three years.

The pilot project was evaluated at the end of 2000. The Head Lice in Primary Schools Kit was an outcome of the pilot project.  This Kit is no longer available in printed form, but all of the resources from the Kit are available from the resources section of this site.

Throughout the pilot project a number of research components took place. The results of this research are incorporated into the resources on this site.

1. The University of Queensland conducted research into the ever-increasing issue of head lice developing resistance to chemical treatments.
2. Queensland Health thoroughly tested the conditioner and combing technique, finding it an effective method for both the detection and treatment of head lice.
3. James Cook University investigated the transmission of head lice through environmental factors such as hats, classroom floors and pillow slips.

The project also included a number of other activities including:

• working with pharmacies to ensure they provide families with accurate information regarding the management of head lice.
• lobbying the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) to improve consumer information and labeling on head lice products. The TGA is currently conducting a review (exits this site: TGA document) of head lice treatments in Australia.
• providing input into a review of legislation affecting hairdressers in relation to head lice.
• applying to the Queensland Hospital Drug Advisory Committee to add a head lice preparation for each of the four chemical groups to the standard hospital drug list. Preparations from two chemical groups (synthetic pyrethroids and organophoshates) are now available.
• providing input into the review of the position statement and guidelines for the control of head lice in schools (exits this site: Education Queensland document) developed by Education Queensland.

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