Cluster-RCT Collective Nasopharyngeal COVID-19 Testing Amongst Pupils

Parents, Peer Group

Public Health, Pediatric, Nasopharyngeal, Collective testing

Does the presence of fellow pupils and parents improves a pupil's resistance to undergo a nasopharyngeaal swab test?

In order to control the outbreak of cluster infections on school during the COVID-19 pandemic, regular rounds of collective nasopharyngeal swab testing were organized. However, it is unclear under which circumstances nasopharyngeal swab testing is better accepted by young children. Due to the closing of schools, and the different logistic situations in schools, a natural pragmatic RCT formed. In some cases, children could observe their peers before having their own test, while for others the view was blocked. Also, sometimes parents would be present during a test procedure when the school was closed, while they were not present when the school was open. To date, it is unclear whether these two variable elements influence a child's resistance to be tested. Therefore a cluster-randomized controlled trial with testing site as the unit of randomisation will be set-up. Four conditions will be tested. On the individual level, the resistance of their peers before their own testing will be taken into account. The aim of the study is to compare whether (1) the visibility of nasopharyngeal swab testing on their peers and (2) the presence of their parents impacts a child's resistance towards the test. Additionally, the impact of whether or not their peers resisted the test impact predicts the likelihood of their own resisting behaviour.

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Belgium