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Determinants of school absences due to respiratory tract infections among children during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study of the Sentinel Schools Network
  • +9
  • Antoni Soriano-Arandes,
  • Andreu Colom-Cadena,
  • Anna Bordas,
  • Fabiana Ganem,
  • Lucia Alonso,
  • Marcos Montoro,
  • Mireia Gascon,
  • Maria Subirana,
  • Ariadna Mas,
  • Jordi Sunyer,
  • Pere Soler Palacín,
  • Jordi Casabona
Antoni Soriano-Arandes
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron

Corresponding Author:toni.soriano@vallhebron.cat

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Andreu Colom-Cadena
CEEISCAT
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Anna Bordas
CEEISCAT
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Fabiana Ganem
CEEISCAT
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Lucia Alonso
IGTP
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Marcos Montoro
CEEISCAT
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Mireia Gascon
ISGlobal
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Maria Subirana
ISGlobal
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Ariadna Mas
Institut Català de la Salut
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Jordi Sunyer
ISGlobal
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Pere Soler Palacín
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
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Jordi Casabona
CEEISCAT
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Abstract

We aimed to assess the association of household and classroom determinants with students’ school absence due to respiratory tract infections (RTI) among 253 students (4-11 years) of 20 classrooms. We collected 71 absences; RTI incidence was very high during the study period, 17.5-33.1 cases per 100 population. Having someone else at home with respiratory symptoms was the most significant epidemiological factor (OR=9.12, CI 95%=2.54-33.39), suggesting that households are crucial for the transmission of RTI to the children. A positive but not statistically significant association was observed between higher median levels of CO2 and respiratory-related absences (OR=1.2, CI 95%=0.98-1.46).