Outcomes of the Preventive Measures for COVID-19 Affecting the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases in School

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the morbidity rate and the relationship between gaps of preventive measures for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), hand-foot-and-mouth disease, influenza, respiratory diseases and food poisoning at the school level. The study recruited 7,563 subjects from educational institutes under the local government organization and the Office of the Basic Education Commission. We collected the data using a set of online questionnaires via Google form survey during June - July 2021; and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The most prevalent disease at the school level was respiratory diseases with a morbidity rate of 1,868.12 per 100,000 population. We found that poor environmental management in educational institutions was the most significant factor for COVID-19 (OR=14.6, 95%CI=9.47 – 22.51) and food poisoning (OR=4.35, 95%CI=2.85 – 6.64); noncompliance with constant mask-wearing for hand-foot-and-mouth disease (OR=3.44, 95%CI=3.30-3.58); neglect of floor cleaning for Influenza (OR=12.12, 95%CI=6.05-24.27); and the lack of toilet cleaning for respiratory diseases (OR=3.30, 95%CI=2.54-4.29). In order to reduce those risk factors, healthcare workers should continuously strengthen educational institutions to implement strict preventive measures for communicable diseases.