scholarly journals Feasibility and acceptability of SARS-CoV-2 testing and surveillance in primary school children in England: Prospective, cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255517
Author(s):  
Felicity Aiano ◽  
Samuel E. I. Jones ◽  
Zahin Amin-Chowdhury ◽  
Jessica Flood ◽  
Ifeanyichukwu Okike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Oral Fluid ◽  
Blood Sampling ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Blood Tests ◽  
Fluid Sampling

Background The reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about widespread infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in educational settings. In June 2020, Public Health England (PHE) initiated prospective national surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in primary schools across England (sKIDs). We used this opportunity to assess the feasibility and agreeability of large-scale surveillance and testing for SARS-CoV-2 infections in school among staff, parents and students. Methods Staff and students in 131 primary schools were asked to complete a questionnaire at recruitment and provide weekly nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing (n = 86) or swabs with blood samples for antibody testing (n = 45) at the beginning and end the summer half-term. In six blood sampling schools, students were asked to complete a pictorial questionnaire before and after their investigations. Results In total, 135 children aged 4–7 years (n = 40) or 8–11 years (n = 95) completed the pictorial questionnaire fully or partially. Prior to sampling, oral fluid sampling was the most acceptable test (107/132, 81%) followed by throat swabs (80/134, 59%), nose swabs (77/132, 58%), and blood tests (48/130, 37%). Younger students were more nervous about all tests than older students but, after completing their tests, most children reported a “better than expected” experience with all the investigations. Students were more likely to agree to additional testing for nose swabs (93/113, 82%) and oral fluid (93/114, 82%), followed by throat swabs (85/113, 75%) and blood tests (72/108, 67%). Parents (n = 3,994) and staff (n = 2,580) selected a preference for weekly testing with nose swabs, throat swabs or oral fluid sampling, although staff were more flexible about testing frequency. Conclusions Primary school staff and parents were supportive of regular tests for SARS-CoV-2 and selected a preference for weekly testing. Children preferred nose swabs and oral fluids over throat swabs or blood sampling.

scholarly journals Anaemia and Its Relation to Demographic, Socio-economic and Anthropometric Factors in Rural Primary School Children in Hai Phong City, Vietnam

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoang ◽  
Orellana ◽  
Le ◽  
Gibson ◽  
Worsley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Economic Factor ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Microcytic Anaemia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Normocytic Anaemia

Little is known about the prevalence of anaemia and associated factors in school children in Vietnam. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and its subtypes, and the associations of types of anaemia with demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric factors among 6–9-year-old primary school children in rural areas of Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Haemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured, and demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric data were collected in 893 children from eight primary schools. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L) was 12.9% (95% CI: 8.1%, 19.9%), microcytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV < 80 fL) was 7.9% (95% CI: 5.3%, 11.6%) and normocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV 80–90 fL) was 5.3% (95% CI: 2.9%, 9.5%). No child presented with macrocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV > 90 fL). Children who were underweight, wasted, or in anthropometric failure (either underweight, stunted or wasted) were more likely to be anaemic (all p ≤ 0.004), and specifically, to have normocytic anaemia (all p ≤ 0.006), than those who were not underweight, wasted or in anthropometric failure. Stunted children were more likely to be anaemic (p = 0.018) than those who were not stunted. Overweight/obese children were less likely to be anaemic (p = 0.026) or have normocytic anaemia (p = 0.038) compared with children who were not overweight/obese. No anthropometric status indicator was associated with the risk of microcytic anaemia. No demographic or socio-economic factor was associated with any type of anaemia. Anaemia remains a public health issue in rural areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam, and future approaches for its prevention and control should target undernourished primary school children.

scholarly journals Investigating differences between traditional (paper bag) ordering and online ordering from primary school canteens: a cross-sectional study comparing menu, usage and lunch order characteristics

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Alecia Leonard ◽  
Tessa Delaney ◽  
Kirsty Seward ◽  
Rachel Zoetemeyer ◽  
Hannah Lamont ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
South Wales ◽  
School Canteen

Abstract Objective: To assess differences between traditional paper bag ordering and online ordering from primary school canteens in terms of menu, usage and lunch order characteristics. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: New South Wales (NSW) primary schools that offered both paper bag and online canteen ordering. Participants: Students (aged 5–12 years) with a lunch order on the day of the observation. Results: Across the six school canteens, 59–90 % of all available items were listed on both the online and paper menus, with no significant differences in the nutritional quality (‘Everyday’/‘Occasional’) or nutritional content (kJ/saturated fat/sugar/sodium) of menu items. In total, 387 student lunch orders were placed, containing 776 menu items. Most orders (68 %) were placed online. There were no significant differences between order modality in the quantity of items ordered or the cost of orders, or the nutritional quality of orders based on the classification system of the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy (‘Everyday’/’Occasional’). However, nutritional analysis revealed that paper bag orders contained 222 fewer kJ than online orders (P = 0·001), 0·65 g less saturated fat (P = 0·04) and 4·7 g less sugar (P < 0·001). Conclusions: Online canteens are commonly used to order canteen lunches for primary school children. This is the first study to investigate differences between traditional paper bag ordering and online ordering in this setting. Given the rapid increase in the use of online ordering systems in schools and other food settings and their potential to deliver public health nutrition interventions, additional research is warranted to further investigate differences in ordering modalities.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Primary School Children Aged 8–13 Years in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismail N. Pangani ◽  
Festus K. Kiplamai ◽  
Jane W. Kamau ◽  
Vincent O. Onywera
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background. The understanding of obesity as a growing health problem in Africa and Tanzania in particular is hampered by lack of data as well as sociocultural beliefs in which overweight and obesity are revered. This study sought to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children aged 8–13 years in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Method. A cross-sectional analytical research design was used to study overweight and obesity in primary schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The target population was 150,000 children aged 8–13 years. Stratified random sampling was used to select 1781 children. Weight and height were taken and WHO standards for children were used to determine weight status.Results. Findings showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15.9% and 6.7%, respectively (N=1781). However, 6.2% of the children were underweight. There were significant differences in mean BMI between children in private and public schools (p=0.021), between male and female (p<0.001), and across age groups of 8–10 and 11–13 years (p<0.001).Conclusion. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children is significant and requires management and prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Pediculosis Capitis among Primary School Children in Kuantan, Pahang

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Nur Madihah Che Rozela ◽  
Nor Faiza Mohd Tohit ◽  
Razman Mohd Rus
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Urban School ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Pediculosis Capitis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Location ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Introduction: Pediculosis capitis  among primary school children is a worldwide problem which carries significant consequences among the school children and caregivers. Despite causing significant health problem which needs to be intervened, only few studies were conducted in Malaysia and there is no previous study conducted in Pahang. Thus, this study aims to investigate the determinants  of prevalence of Pediculosis capitis  among primary school children in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Materials and method: An analytical cross-sectional study using cluster random sampling of primary schools was carried out in Kuantan. Selfadministered validated questionnaire was used followed by hair and scalp examination. Multivariate logistics was done to determine the predictors and to control for confounding effect. Results: The overall median age of the 1,365 respondents was 8.0 years. Majority of them were males (53.41%), Malays (60.29%), household income between RM1000-RM2999 (31.87%) and from urban school location (98.68%). The overall prevalence of Pediculosis capitis  was 9.6% (n=131). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female (Odds ratio (OR)=8.571, 95% Confidence interval (CI)=5.024-14.620), Indian (OR = 5.560, 95% CI=3.3849.136), those who had number of siblings more than five (OR = 2.644, 95% CI=1.0446.700), history of contact with infested person (OR=2.445, 95% CI=1.619-3.691) and urban school location (OR=0.030, 95% CI=0.284-0.091) were predictors for  Pediculosis capitis. Conclusion: The prevalence of  Pediculosis capitis  among primary school children in Kuantan, Pahang is endemic(9.6%) and predictors are female, Indian, having siblings of more than 5 and contact with infested person. Hence, preventive measures are necessary to reduce the transmission of head lice among school children.

scholarly journals Some Epidemiologic Aspects of Common Warts in Rural Primary School Children

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Kasim ◽  
Soliman Amer ◽  
Mohamed Mosaad ◽  
Alaa Abdel-Wahed ◽  
Hazem Allam
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Child Labor ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Warts ◽  
Present Cross Sectional Study

Cutaneous warts are common in children worldwide, although the prevalence figures are conflicting. There are few publications on that issue, particularly in rural Egypt. The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of warts of hands in rural primary school children and to examine some risk factors associated with warts in these children. The study examined 1833 children from 15 rural primary schools in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt, for the presence of warts. Data about sociodemographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors were collected. Prevalence of warts was estimated. Appropriate statistical analyses including multivariate logistic regression were done. The prevalence of warts of hands in the studied children was 2.3% (1.3–3.3%) with no significant sex difference. The risk of warts increased significantly in children reported swimming in Nile channels (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 5.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.9–10.6) and child labor (adjusted OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 2.3–8.8). A ninety percent risk reduction was observed in children with educated parents. The study findings demonstrated a significant increase in the risk of warts among rural children reported swimming in Nile channels and child labor. Parents’ education, on the other hand, was found to play an important role in risk reduction.

scholarly journals Prevalence, infection intensity and associated risk factors of Intestinal Schistosomiasis among primary school Children in Lira District, Northern Uganda

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Paul Byagamy ◽  
Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga ◽  
Harriet Angwech ◽  
Robert Opiro ◽  
Richard Echodu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intestinal Schistosomiasis ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence, infection intensity and associated risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis among primary school children in Lira district, Uganda. The study was conducted among 532 primary school pupils aged 6-16 years from eight randomly selected primary schools (March-May 2017). Stool samples were collected and examined for schistosomiasis using Odongo-Aginya method. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were obtained using questionnaires. Results: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni was 35.7% indicating a moderate infection. Both males and females were equally affected with S. mansoni . Ogur sub county had highest prevalence (42.1%) than others. Akangi and Akano primary schools both had highest (21.1%) prevalence compared to the others. Individuals aged 14-16 and 10-14 years had heavy infections (mean epg) of 600 and 565 eggs, respectively than those aged 6-9 years. With regard to risk factors, source of drinking water, sub-county location and primary school were associated with infection. Participants who fetch water from spring (85,44.7%) had higher infection than those who fetch from other sources. The study recommends provision of safe water, periodic treatment of school-aged children with praziquantel and public health education to reduce prevalence of S. mansoni .

scholarly journals Ecological study of playground space and physical activity among primary school children

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e034586
Author(s):  
Anne C Grunseit ◽  
Blythe Jane O'Hara ◽  
Bradley Drayton ◽  
Vincent Learnihan ◽  
Louise L Hardy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Cardiovascular Fitness ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predicted Probability

ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between school playground size and total physical activity (PA), fitness and fundamental movement skills (FMS) of primary school students.DesignCross-sectional ecological analysis.Setting43 primary schools in New South Wales, Australia.ParticipantsData were from 5238 students, aged 5 to 12 years, participating in the Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey.Outcome measuresSelf (for age ≥11 years) and parent (for age <11 years) report of PA (meeting PA recommendations and number of days meeting recommendations), objectively measured FMS and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness.ResultsAssociations between playground space and measures of PA and fitness were mostly non-linear and moderated by loose equipment. Students in schools with no loose equipment showed a weak association between space and meeting PA recommendations (self-report). In schools with equipment, students’ predicted probability of meeting PA recommendations increased sharply between 15 m2 and 25 m2 per student from 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.08) to 0.30 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.46), but at 30 m2 returned to levels comparable to students in schools with no equipment (0.18, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.28). For cardiorespiratory fitness, in schools with no loose equipment, probabilities for being in the healthy cardiovascular fitness zone varied between 0.66 and 0.77, showing no consistent trend. Students in schools with loose equipment had a predicted probability of being in the healthy fitness zone of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.41 to 0.71) at 15 m2 per student, which rose to 0.75 (95% CI: 0.63 to 0.86) at 20 m2 per student. There was no relationship between space and FMS.ConclusionsSchool space guidelines need to incorporate sufficient playground space for students. Our study provides evidence supporting better PA outcomes with increasing space up to 25 m2 per student, and access to loose equipment, however further research is required to determine precise thresholds for minimum space. Intersectoral planning and cooperation is required to meet the needs of growing school populations.

Prevalence of ear morbidities among school children in Delhi, India: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Himanshu Shekhar ◽  
Anita Khokhar ◽  
Gul Motwani ◽  
Shailaja Daral
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ear Diseases

AbstractObjectivesHearing impairment and ear diseases are among the world’s leading causes of years lived with disability. Ear disorders are a major health problem in developing countries like India. The present research had been planned to screen the primary school children for ear morbidity and to study the various factors associated with ear morbidities so that corrective intervention can be initiated at the earliest.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among all primary school children of two schools in Aliganj, Delhi. Complete enumeration of all the school children of these two primary schools was planned for this study. Modified version of World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) “Ten Question Plus” screening instrument was used, followed by Otoscopy examination, in all children for confirmation of ear disease, if any. Descriptive data analysis was performed.ResultsOut of the total 430 study subjects, ear morbidities were found in 198 (46.0%) study participants. Presence of ear morbidity showed significant association with overcrowding, absence of a separate kitchen, passive smoking, feeding young child in lying down position, upper respiratory tract infection (URI)˃3 episodes/year and allergy (p<0.05).ConclusionsThis study has highlighted the need to detect ear diseases at the earliest thereby avoiding complications. The health examination in the schools must include screening students for ear diseases to reduce the burden of hearing disability. Inputs from the study may be used for effective prioritization and planning for prevention and management of ear diseases at the primary school level.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Speech Sound Disorders among Primary School Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
Iqra Aslam ◽  
Nazia Mumtaz ◽  
Ghulam Saqulain
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Speech Sound ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Speech Sound Disorders ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Ratio

Background: Communication Disorders are common and affect individual’s abilities to comprehend, detect and use language and speech, with speech sound disorders (SSD) being the most common communication issue of the youth. SSD is a disorder of development with difficulty in articulation and phonology affecting understanding and intelligibility of speech of a child. It affects the scholarly accomplishment in school as well. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of speech sound disorders among primary school going children. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, recruiting a sample of 377 children through probability sampling technique from May 2018 to December 2018. Students of both genders, aged 4 to 8 years, were enrolled from Government Primary Schools of Mandi Bahauddin District, Punjab Pakistan. Students from private and special schools were excluded. Tool for Assessment of Articulation and Phonology in Urdu (TAAPU) was used to collect data, followed by data analysis using SPSS version 20. Results: Of 377 primary school children, 167(44.3%) were males and 210 (55.7%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1:1.26. Speech Sound Disorder was detected in 5 (1.3%) children, 4 males and only 1 female. Of these 5 cases with SSD, 3 (60%) males suffered from substitution and 1(20%) from omission, while 1 (20%) female child suffered from substitution disorder. Conclusion: The prevalence of Speech Sound Disorders in primary school children is very low being 1.3%, with significantly higher prevalence in males aged 61-72 months. “Substitution” of sounds is more common compared to “omission”.

scholarly journals Visual impairment and associated factors among primary school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 533-542
Author(s):  
Gashaw Garedew Woldeamanuel ◽  
Mohammed Derese Biru ◽  
Teshome Gensa Geta ◽  
Birhan Abera Areru
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Visual impairment is one of the major public health problems worldwide, especially in developing countries. Objective: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated factors among school children in Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in eight primary schools of Gurage Zone. A total of 1064 pupils, of whom589 boys and 475 girls were selected using multistage sampling technique. Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires and visual acuity was measured using Snellen’s chart. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of visual impairment. Results: The prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Factors significantly associated with visual impairment were age group of 13-18 years (AOR = 9.44, 95% CI = 3.83 – 23.25), school grade level of 5- 8 (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.23 – 7.17), rural residents (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.22 – 5.54), family’s monthly income of less than 2000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.08 – 7.61) and visually impaired parents (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.06 – 4.39). Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of visual impairment was 5.2%. Keywords: Visual impairment; primary school children; Gurage Zone; Southern Ethiopia. 

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