@article {45987,
	title = {Head lice diagnosed in general practice in the West Midlands between 1993 and 2000: a survey using the General Practice Research Database},
	journal = {Communicable disease and public health / PHLS},
	volume = {6},
	year = {2003},
	note = {LR: 20041117; JID: 9808711; 0 (Antiparasitic Agents); 121-75-5 (Malathion); 52645-53-1 (Permethrin); ppublish},
	month = {2003},
	pages = {139 - 143},
	address = {England},
	abstract = {The potential of the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) for communicable disease surveillance was explored using head lice as an example. All diagnoses of head lice and prescriptions for parasiticidal agents from 1993 to 2000 in the West Midlands were analysed. Diagnoses reached a peak of 28.2 per 1,000 patient years at risk and total prescriptions reached a peak of 27.1 per 1,000 patient years at risk in 1997. Malathion and permethrin were prescribed most often. The proportion of further parasiticidal prescriptions issued within 30 days of the initial prescription increased to a peak of 11.5\% of prescriptions in 1997. The ratio of the same:different further prescriptions changed during the study period, reaching a high of 5:1 in 2000. These trends are mirrored by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Weekly Returns Service and Prescribing Analysis and Cost (PACT) data. Use of GPRD provides additional insights into patient data, particularly on prescribing, that would not be available from other sources.},
	keywords = {adolescent, adult, Age Distribution, Aged, animals, Antiparasitic Agents/therapeutic use, child, Child, Preschool, Communicable Disease, England, Family Practice, humans, Infant, Lice Infestations/epidemiology/etiology/prevention \& control, Malathion, Medical Records, Middle Aged, Pediculus, Permethrin, Physician{\textquoteright}s Practice, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t, scalp dermatoses, Sex Distribution},
	isbn = {1462-1843},
	author = {Smith,S. and Smith,G. and Heatlie,H. and Bashford,J. and Ashcroft,D. and Millson,D.}
}
