Influence of school closure on the incidence of viral respiratory diseases among children and on health care utilization.
We evaluated the effect of school closure on the occurrence of respiratory infection among children ages 6-12 years and its impact on health care services. During this period, there were significant decreases in the diagnoses of respiratory infections (42%), visits to physician (28%) and emergency departments (28%) and medication purchases (35%). The present study provides quantitative data to support school closure during an influenza pandemic.
Heymann
Anthony
A
Department of Community Medicine, Maccabi Healthcare Services, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Chodick
Gabriel
G
Reichman
Brian
B
Kokia
Ehud
E
Laufer
Joseph
J
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*