Assessment of COVID‐19 Messaging Strategies to Increase Testing for Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

• Published in: The Journal of school health 2024-06, Vol.94 (6), p.551-561
• Main Authors: Walsh, Tyler J, Kalb, Luther G, Gemmell, Michael, Liu, Jingxia, Caburnay, Charlene A, Gurnett, Christina A, Newland, Jason G, Imbeah, Adwoa, Bono, Kelly, Baldenweck, Megan, Errichetti, Cheryl Lyn, Bey, Claudaya Hood, Traughber, Matthew C., Vestal, Liz, Mueller, Nancy B., Balls‐Berry, Joyce E., Myers, Linda, Maricque, Brett B., Schlaggar, Bradley L., Schmidt, Ann, Stone, Maureen, Dougherty, Nikole Lobb, Poor, Timothy J., Fritz, Stephanie A., Powell, Byron J., Wilcher‐Roberts, Myisha, Snider, Elsa, McKay, Virginia R., Gotto, George S., Dubois, James M., Constantino, John N., Brodsky, Victor B., Sherby, Michael R., Lai, Albert M., Neidich, Julie A., Morris, Stephanie M., Head, Rich
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; communication strategies; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 Testing - methods; Developmental disabilities; Developmental Disabilities - diagnosis; Female; Humans; infectious diseases; intellectual and developmental disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Male; Mass Screening - methods; Pandemics; public health; SARS-CoV-2; School districts; School Health Services; Schools; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Special Schools; Students; Students - psychology; Students with disabilities; Tests
• ISSN: 0022-4391; 1746-1561; 1746-1561
• DOI: 10.1111/josh.13448

Background Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) were disproportionately impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study's goal was to assess the effectiveness of 2 messaging strategies on participation in SARS‐CoV‐2 weekly testing. Methods Cluster randomized trials were conducted at 2 school systems, the special school district (SSD) and Kennedy Krieger Institute (Kennedy) to assess messaging strategies, general versus enhanced, to increase weekly screening for SARS‐CoV‐2. Testing was offered to staff and students from November 23, 2020 to May 26, 2022. The primary outcomes were percentage of students and staff consented weekly and percentage of study participants who had a test performed weekly. Generalized estimating equation models were utilized to evaluate the primary outcomes. Results Increases in enrollment and testing occurred during study start up, the beginning of school years, and following surges in both systems. No statistical difference was observed in the primary outcomes between schools receiving standard versus enhanced messaging. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity Frequent and consistent communication is vital for families and staff. Weekly screening testing within schools is possible and highlighted the importance of utilizing equitable protocols to provide important testing to students with IDD. Conclusion Enhanced messaging strategies did not increase the number of participants enrolled or the percentage of enrolled participants being tested on a weekly basis.