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BMJ Paediatr Open
. 2024 Nov 7;8(1):e002974.
doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002974. Children and adolescents' experiences of mandatory SARS-CoV-2 testing in schools: a cross-sectional survey
Christian Kimmig 1 , Thorsten Langer 2 , Johanna K Loy 3 , Stephan Bender # 3 , Anneke Haddad # 4
Affiliations
Background: Public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic had dramatic consequences for children and adolescents. However, policy-makers and healthcare researchers did not give sufficient weight to children's perspectives. One common public health measure was mandatory SARS-CoV-2 tests in schools. This study examines the evaluation of such mandatory testing.
Methods: We investigated the effects of test type (pooled PCR tests vs antigen rapid tests) and demographic and psychological factors on evaluations of the experience of being tested. A total of 569 children (8-17 years) in two major German cities completed online questionnaires between October and December 2021. Participants answered questions addressing test evaluation, vaccination status, pandemic-related stress, mental health difficulties and health-related quality of life.
Results: Our results showed that overall test ratings were better for pooled PCR tests (p<0.001). Vaccine-willing students evaluated SARS-CoV-2 tests more positively than vaccine-unwilling students, regardless of test type (p<0.001). Children with mental health difficulties (abnormal/borderline Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores) evaluated SARS-CoV-2 tests more negatively than children with normal SDQ scores (p<0.001). Additionally, children who reported better health-related quality of life and children with less pandemic-related stress rated the tests more positively.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that there are differences in the appraisal of the test types and that specific subgroups' experiences of regular testing vary. Our study provides insights for policy-makers in future pandemics and raises questions regarding parallels between testing and vaccination hesitancy. Moreover, our study demonstrates the feasibility and value of collecting data directly from a large cohort of children in order to understand their experiences.
Keywords: Adolescent Health; COVID-19; Child Health; Health Policy.
. 2024 Nov 7;8(1):e002974.
doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002974. Children and adolescents' experiences of mandatory SARS-CoV-2 testing in schools: a cross-sectional survey
Christian Kimmig 1 , Thorsten Langer 2 , Johanna K Loy 3 , Stephan Bender # 3 , Anneke Haddad # 4
Affiliations
- PMID: 39510767
- DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002974
Background: Public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic had dramatic consequences for children and adolescents. However, policy-makers and healthcare researchers did not give sufficient weight to children's perspectives. One common public health measure was mandatory SARS-CoV-2 tests in schools. This study examines the evaluation of such mandatory testing.
Methods: We investigated the effects of test type (pooled PCR tests vs antigen rapid tests) and demographic and psychological factors on evaluations of the experience of being tested. A total of 569 children (8-17 years) in two major German cities completed online questionnaires between October and December 2021. Participants answered questions addressing test evaluation, vaccination status, pandemic-related stress, mental health difficulties and health-related quality of life.
Results: Our results showed that overall test ratings were better for pooled PCR tests (p<0.001). Vaccine-willing students evaluated SARS-CoV-2 tests more positively than vaccine-unwilling students, regardless of test type (p<0.001). Children with mental health difficulties (abnormal/borderline Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores) evaluated SARS-CoV-2 tests more negatively than children with normal SDQ scores (p<0.001). Additionally, children who reported better health-related quality of life and children with less pandemic-related stress rated the tests more positively.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that there are differences in the appraisal of the test types and that specific subgroups' experiences of regular testing vary. Our study provides insights for policy-makers in future pandemics and raises questions regarding parallels between testing and vaccination hesitancy. Moreover, our study demonstrates the feasibility and value of collecting data directly from a large cohort of children in order to understand their experiences.
Keywords: Adolescent Health; COVID-19; Child Health; Health Policy.