ABSTRACT
Introduction: Large scale testing, rapid diagnosis and immediate isolation of cases with vigorous contact tracing for positive contacts are important measures to reduce the infection rate of the SARS-CoV-2. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing requires designated lab and trained personnel, this may cause longer turn around time to get the result. Antigen test kit from nasopharyngeal swab specimens already implemented for use in Malaysia since May 2020 however this test still requires trained personnel for swabbing. This study shows correlation between SARS-CoV-2 rapid test kit (RTK) antigen from saliva with gold standard SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR from nasopharyngeal swab. Material(s) and Method(s): Retrospective analysis of 152 samples sent for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR with written history of home SARS-CoV-2 RTK saliva self-test done within 72 hours from October 2021 to April 2022 included in the study. Result(s): 74.3% of SARS-CoV-2 RTK Antigen from saliva correlates with SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR. Conclusion(s): SARS-CoV-2 RTK antigen from saliva proves to be one of the reliable method for a rapid diagnosis and easily accessible for SARS-CoV-2 home screening test.
ABSTRACT
Student should participate in high-quality learning regardless of all existing conditions;therefore, efforts are needed to identify various factors related to teacher readiness in teaching (TR). This research identified the effect of the four components of transformational leadership (TL) on teacher TR in the era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through the role of teacher self-efficacy mediation. The study used a quantitative approach, with a model of structural equation modelling (SEM) causality with the help of the analysis of moment structure 24.0 (AMOS 24.0) program. This study involved 332 secondary school teachers as respondent. SEM is used to build relationship models and to analyze direct or indirect effects, while the Sobel test is conducted for testing mediation hypotheses. Based on the results of research, four components of TL, can affect teacher TR through teacher self-efficacy. The contribution of this research provides insight into the importance of the principal's TL practices in preparing teachers for teaching through teacher self-efficacy, which is a necessity today. © 2022, Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved.