Routinely checking students for pediculosis is an example of which type of prevention strategy?

Routinely checking students for pediculosis is an example of secondary prevention. This type of prevention is focused on early detection and intervention to prevent the progression of a condition already in existence. By regularly screening students for pediculosis (head lice), health professionals can identify those who are infested early on. This early identification allows for prompt treatment, which can help to prevent a more widespread outbreak among the student population.

In contrast, primary prevention aims to prevent disease before it occurs, generally through health education and vaccinations. Tertiary prevention involves managing and mitigating the long-term consequences of a disease after it has been diagnosed, focusing on rehabilitation and improving quality of life. Quaternary prevention is the effort to avoid unnecessary or excessive interventions or the overmedicalization of patients. Each of these strategies plays a distinct role in the public health landscape, but the action of routinely checking for pediculosis is squarely focused on identification and management of an existing condition, making it a clear example of secondary prevention.