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.