Possible Neglected Case Detection of COVID-19 in a Boarding School

The symptoms of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) are similar to those of COVID-19, although most people exposed to this virus will experience mild to severe symptoms. These symptoms are often experienced by children, including Islamic boarding school students or 'pesantren.' This study aimed to identify symptoms of respiratory infection that can be used to predict COVID-19 infection. The method used was a survey with a cross-sectional approach in a male Islamic boarding school in TAPAN, Tulungagung, East Java. The research was conducted in August with interviews using a questionnaire containing the description of the Islamic boarding school and the environmental condition of the 'pesantren'. Symptoms of respiratory problems experienced by male students, types of examinations carried out, and healthy living habits in washing hands. The number of samples was calculated using the Lemeshow or Slovin formula, with a prevalence of 0.5, then a minimum sample size of 97 was obtained. In this study, the number of samples or subjects was 100 students. Self-administered questionnaires were conducted with the assistance of teachers whom the researcher had given prior explanations. The analysis descriptively shows the frequency and percentage of each variable. Students' main signs and symptoms were sneezing (90%), headache (68%), nasal congestion (64%), colds (55%), and muscle or body aches (50%). Other symptoms were sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever or chill, and nausea or vomiting. The most common symptoms of COVID experienced by the student were headache, nasal congestion, muscle or body aches, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever or chill, and nausea or vomiting. Some students may have COVID-19. Surveillance is needed to trace and follow up on the condition of the students and their families using swab PCR tests. It needed research to identify the symptoms of COVID-19 conducted in female Islamic boarding schools and any other schools.