Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41952524›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of school health2026

Stigma, Perceptions, and Parental Responses to Children's Head Lice Infestation in Greece.

Michalis Linardakis, Helen Vretudaki, Stela-Marina Kostaki, Elias Papadopoulos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of school health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Michalis LinardakisDepartment of Preschool Education, University of Crete, Rethimnon, Greece.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5237-2015
Helen VretudakiDepartment of Preschool Education, University of Crete, Rethimnon, Greece.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8031-7926
Stela-Marina KostakiDepartment of Preschool Education, University of Crete, Rethimnon, Greece.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2228-8231
Elias PapadopoulosLaboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2564-5203

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHead lice remain a frequent concern in schools, with social stigma and misconceptions often influencing parental attitudes more than medical realities. Understanding these psychosocial dimensions is essential for designing effective school health strategies.

methodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 227 parents of preschool and primary school children across 13 regions in Greece. A structured 20-item questionnaire was used. Exploratory factor analysis identified underlying attitudinal factors, while correlations and latent profile analysis explored distinct psychosocial profiles.

resultsSix attitudinal factors emerged: Peer Stigma, Cultural Prejudice, School-Related Concerns, Internalized Shame, Hygiene Beliefs, and Institutional Factors. Stigma-related factors were strongly intercorrelated. Demographic associations were weak, and infestation frequency showed only marginal links to attitudes. Latent profile analysis identified four distinct psychosocial profiles of the parents. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Findings emphasize the need for stigma reduction, parental education, and improved school-family communication. Tailored interventions can reduce inequities by supporting vulnerable parent groups with culturally sensitive strategies.

conclusionsHead lice are perceived by many parents as a social rather than medical issue. Addressing stigma is crucial for effective and equitable school health practice.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeLice InfestationsParentsPediculusScalp DermatosesSocial StigmaAnimalsChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGreeceHumansMaleSchoolsSurveys and Questionnairesequityhead liceparental attitudespsychosocial factorsschool healthstigma

Identifiers

PMID41952524
PMCPMC13062878

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.