Abstract of Master’s Dissertation
No.1
CourseThesis
Title

Master of Public HealthName

Khamsamay XAYLOVONG

Performance of quarantine system in screening Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) in Lao PDR: A retrospective study at two ground crossings in
Savannakhet Province.

Abstract of Master’s Dissertation

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has mainly spread across borders in eachterritory through travelers. In Lao PDR, positive cases of workers returning fromabroad are crucial. Therefore, early detection of suspect cases by effective screening
and quarantine measurement at the point of entry and implementing appropriate
control measures are critical to reduce the pandemic in the communities and thecountry.
Objectives: This study aims to assess the COVID-19 screening performance ofquarantine system for point of entry at two ground crossings in Lao PDR.
Methods: A mixed-method-parallel design for complementary purpose was applied.

In the quantitative part, the study was conducted in 380 incoming travelers who
registered for paper-based at two ground crossings in Savannakhet, Lao PDR.
Completion of overall quarantine procedures (OQP) was assessed by quarantineprocedures: (i) body temperature measurement; (ii) referral to the provincial
hospital when body temperature is >= 37.5°C; (iii) PCR test for referral hospitalcases; (iv) referral to the quarantine facilities when body temperature is < 37.5°C;
and (v) complete 14-day quarantine. Mixed-effects logistic regression was applied
according to the nature of the data. After descriptive statistics, all predictors were
simultaneously put in the model, using STATA (16.0). In qualitative part, key
informant interviews using semi-structured interview guide were conducted amongnine health workers and ten incoming travelers. Thematic analysis was conductedto accomplish the qualitative information by using NVivo software.

＊ The abstract, containing background, objectives, methods, results and conclusion should notexceed 300-500words and printed double sided on A4 paper)

Abstract of Master’s Dissertation
No.2
CourseMaster of Public HealthName

Khamsamay XAYLOVONG

Results: In this study, 72.9% of all incoming travelers completed overall quarantine

procedures. Occupation of incoming travelers was significantly associated withcompletion of the overall quarantine procedures (OQP). Students, tourists, andpatients were more likely to complete the OQP (P=0.017). Higher number of healthworkers duty on the day were less likely to complete the OQP (P=0.003). Higher
number of incoming travelers per health worker were less likely to complete theOQP (P=0.018). The health workers expressed their insights dealing with workload,training, skill, infrastructure, national guideline, and referral services. Their mainconcern was workload. Incoming travelers perceived that, hospitality of healthworker and facilities at POE were the strength of services. For the weakness,
incoming travelers prefer well organized label, signboards, and signs for social
distancing to easily follow by visualization.
Conclusion: To improve overall quarantine procedures (OQP) completion rate,

putting label, signboards, and signs for social distancing are necessary. Getting
information about the number of the incoming travelers according to the designateddates and places in advance will be critical for screening process and quarantine
settings. When the estimate number of incoming travelers in known in advance, theassigning number of health workers at POE can be proportionated with the numberof incoming travelers, which may help reduce the workload of the staffs. To the bestof my knowledge, this study is probably the first one that assessed the performanceof quarantine system not only in Lao PDR but also in the world. Therefore, furtherstudies should be conducted at other points of entry in Lao PDR to be representativeof national quarantine system for incoming travelers.
Key words: COVID-19, point of entry, quarantine, screening, ground crossing