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Seasonal influenza-related school closures affect Kentucky families
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CDC researchers are encouraging school officials to work closely with their local and state public health officials when determining whether seasonal influenza-related school closures are necessary after a recent telephone survey conducted by the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) revealed the difficulties experienced by families during school closures.
The survey was made of randomly sampled households in two adjacent school districts, referred to as A and B. Researchers conducted interviews three weeks after a three-day school closure in district A and a four-day school closure in district B that occurred during a seasonal influenza outbreak in February 2008. The response rate was 261 of 602 households.
In 112 of the surveyed households, one child or more was enrolled in a school meal program. In 11 households, school closures created difficulty for families because of loss of meals.
The survey also revealed that, in 76 households, an adult missed work to provide child care during the school closure. Another 41 households reported that one or more adults lost pay due to missing work to provide child care.
Although the school closures were related to high asbsenteeism, 168 of respondents believed closures prevented more people from becoming ill; 97 thought that closures would specifically prevent their children from becoming ill; and 237 thought disinfecting schools during closures was “extremely important or very important.” However, children from both districts still gathered for events or visited one another’s homes despite schools being closed.
The study’s researchers recommended that school districts and health departments should look closely at the CDC’s guidance policies put in place during the current pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) so they can not only decide when school closures are appropriate but advise parents on how best to reduce the spread of illness while students are dismissed from schools as well. – by Melissa Foster
Timperio CG. MMWR. 2009;58:1405-1409.
The MMWR provides new insights into the impact of school closures. Although the intent was to segregate the children from each other and stop the spread of influenza, this was generally not accomplished. The children met at other social gatherings such as malls, churches, restaurants and sporting events instead of school. It was also remarkable that the families thought that the major reason for school closure was disinfection of the school. Finally, many parents were forced to miss work with a number concerned about maintaining their jobs. In summary, school closures should not be recommended without a full realization of the impact of the decision.
– Kathryn M. Edwards, MD
Infectious Diseases in Children Editorial
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