DOHA: Leading experts have drawn attention to the need for preparing students psychologically to face swine flu before they go back to school after vacation.
Awareness programmes should be held for small groups of children, rather than for large gatherings in the campuses, they noted.
Dr Tahir Shaltout, a prominent psychiatrist at the Hamad Medical Corporation said psychological preparation of students was very important so that they will take the illness seriously.
"Students should be educated about the disease before they go to school. This will ease the shock that might be caused by unfamiliar medical equipment and preparations that they see in the school," said Shaltout.
He said the current situation was somewhat similar to the one existed in the 1980s when there was worldwide scare about Aids. At that time doctors were scared and were hesitating to see patients.
"There are similarities between the two situations although the nature of the diseases are entirely different," said Shaltout.
As for the methods of raising awareness, he said, lectures for large gathering of students will not produce the expected results.
"Students in small groups should be given practical training on ways to prevent the H1N1 virus. The awareness campaign should take place both inside and outside the campus. Students should have the opportunity to ask questions and clear their doubts and concerns," he added.
Dr Batul Khalifa, an expert from the Faculty of Education at Qatar University said, most children were psychologically prepared for the situation due the wide publicity that the disease has gained in the community and family circles.
"Children are seeing people wearing masks in the airports, shopping centers and other public places. Throughout the summer, people were discussing about the disease. Children, like other family members are now aware of the disease," said Khalifa.
She, however, said schools still have a major role to play in creating better awareness among students.
"Children should be divided into groups, with two or three teachers in each group. They should explain about the disease, with the support of pictures and videos.
This task should be assigned to only qualified people. Children will learn fast if they are taught things in a simple and practical manner," she added.
Dr Fatima Al Kubaisi, sociologist at Qatar University highlighted the role of families in preparing students for what they would encounter in the schools after re-opening.
She said the awareness programmes should be designed considering the age of the children. The same methods should not be applied to children in all age groups.
"The current situation will help develop a culture of prevention against all diseases and viruses spreading through air, not just swine flu.
This will significantly contribute to protection of public health. There is not need to worry about children since they are fast learners," said Al Kubaisi.
© The Peninsula 2009
