ABSTRACT
Background: Asthma is a common non-communicable disease among children that may require urgent treatment during school hours. We developed a school-based programme to improve children's asthma control. Aim(s): To assess the feasibility of the programme. Method(s): The mixed-methods study was conducted in October 2020 in a Malaysian primary school. Despite COVID19 restrictions we delivered sessions to children with asthma and their parents, and school staff and, measured participation rate and explored views on the programme. Result(s): We identified 34 children with asthma (3.7% of school population). The session for school staff received good participation 55/62 (88.7%) and feedback (>80% scored good/excellent). In mid-October, COVID-19 forced national school closure so sessions for children with asthma and their parents were conducted remotely, and sessions for the whole school were abandoned. Only 14/34 (41.2%) children with asthma attended the remote sessions as 9/34 parents were uncontactable;11/34 of parents declined children's participation because they lacked internet facilities or timing was inconvenient. Children enjoyed the interactive methods (e.g. videos, games) used to deliver messages. Parental participation was minimal (4/14;28.5%). Conclusion(s): The school-based intervention was feasible, though restricted by the pandemic. Although remote health programmes gained popularity during the pandemic, widespread use could disadvantage children from lower socio-economic backgrounds who had limited access to the electronic devices/ and the internet.
ABSTRACT
Objective: This is a brief report of 4 paediatric cases of COVID-19 infection in Malaysia Background: COVID-19, a coronavirus, first detected in Wuhan, China has now spread rapidly to over 60 countries and territories around the world, infecting more than 85000 individuals. As the case count amongst children is low, there is need to report COVID-19 in children to better understand the virus and the disease. Cases: In Malaysia, until end of February 2020, there were four COVID-19 paediatric cases with ages ranging from 20 months to 11 years. All four cases were likely to have contracted the virus in China. The children had no symptoms or mild flu-like illness. The cases were managed symptomatically. None required antiviral therapy. Discussion: There were 2 major issues regarding the care of infected children. Firstly, the quarantine of an infected child with a parent who tested negative was an ethical dilemma. Secondly, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs in children were at risk of false negative results. These issues have implications for infection control. Consequently, there is a need for clearer guidelines for child quarantine and testing methods in the management of COVID-19 in children.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This is a brief report of 4 paediatric cases of COVID-19 infection in Malaysia BACKGROUND: COVID-19, a coronavirus, first detected in Wuhan, China has now spread rapidly to over 60 countries and territories around the world, infecting more than 85000 individuals. As the case count amongst children is low, there is need to report COVID-19 in children to better understand the virus and the disease. CASES: In Malaysia, until end of February 2020, there were four COVID-19 paediatric cases with ages ranging from 20 months to 11 years. All four cases were likely to have contracted the virus in China. The children had no symptoms or mild flu-like illness. The cases were managed symptomatically. None required antiviral therapy. DISCUSSION: There were 2 major issues regarding the care of infected children. Firstly, the quarantine of an infected child with a parent who tested negative was an ethical dilemma. Secondly, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs in children were at risk of false negative results. These issues have implications for infection control. Consequently, there is a need for clearer guidelines for child quarantine and testing methods in the management of COVID-19 in children.