Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Prevention of Communicable Disease in the Primary School Population
Angela O’Leary BSN, RN, NCSN
Abstract
Primary-age students transmit communicable diseases more readily than older students, resulting in high absenteeism from school and increased healthcare visits. Poor hygienic behaviors and first-time classroom aggregation challenge young students' immature immune systems. Primary-age students' educators lack health guidance regarding the importance of hand and respiratory hygiene. These students and educators are the prime targets for hand and respiratory hygiene education. Using a Google Slide presentation, educators were taught about the transmission and prevention of communicable diseases. The presentation included the mode of transmission, the impact of disease on schools and families, strategies for decreasing transmission, and how to implement handwashing with 4–5-year-olds. Using a Google Slide presentation, students were taught how germs are spread and how to cover coughs, sneezes, and wash hands. Elmo's handwashing song, coloring pages, poster, and footprints to the classroom sink reinforced newly taught handwashing behavior. Educators were given a pre and posttest with an answer and question period to evaluate learning. Students were asked to provide a return demonstration on handwashing to evaluate learning. Within two to four weeks following the educational offering, a decrease in absenteeism related to gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases is anticipated. A decrease in absenteeism will be evaluated by monitoring the attendance records of the preschool class that received the education and comparing the records to those that did not. If absenteeism decreases over the following weeks, it may be concluded that teaching proper hand and respiratory hygiene in conjunction with hygiene reinforcement can effectively decrease absenteeism related to communicable diseases in primary-age students.
Keywords: communicable disease, hand hygiene, primary-age students, absenteeism
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