Dataset from Empowering Schools as Community Assets to Mitigate the Adverse Impacts of COVID-19

Background: The primary goal of this study was to empower schools in Hawaii as community assets in the safe return of students to in-person learning by establishing them as sites of sustainable phased antigen testing programs, and as health navigators for disseminating information regarding mitigation procedures such as vaccination.

Materials/Methods: Specific aims of the study were to optimize and disseminate the unique school-based SARS-CoV-2 testing approach that trained and incorporated students to support testing and become change agents. The study also evaluated testing uptake, infectivity, vaccine hesitancy, as well as attitudes and behaviors related to face-to-face instruction among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, and compared outcomes, including sustainability and scalability, with other Department of Health pilot programs.

Outcome/Impact: The outcome of this study was the creation and dissemination of a sustainable testing protocol for schools and organizations across the Hawaiian Islands. This community-based participatory study implemented and refined a SARS-CoV-2 testing program that increased testing uptake, fostered the return to face-to-face classroom instruction, promoted school-based mitigation measures, and empowered students as change agents.