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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kathleen S. Wiggs-Stayner, RN MS Ed PH, Community Nursing, Parkview Hospital, 2200 Randallia, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, 260-373-6305, kathleen.wiggs@parkview.com

ABSTRACT

Four Title 1 elementary schools participated in the study. Two were offered free FluMist immunizations on site and two were not. Compliance on receiving FluMist was measured on the percent of students participating after evaluating for medical exclusions. As the school year progressed documentation on reason for absences at all four schools included self/parent-reported “respiratory flu”. Attendance rates for year were also compared to previous year for all four schools. We also compared total days absent/total days enrolled between schools receiving FluMist and those that did not. Despite the fact that this was a new vaccine that was not required for children, 57% of those medically eligible to receive it, had parental permission to do so. The two schools receiving FluMist increased their attendance rates for the year while the comparison schools decreased in their attendance rates. The differences in the self-reported respiratory flu absences were not significant. However, difference in days absent was statistically significant with chi-squared p-value <0.001.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (lerner) in this session will be able to

• Describe funding options and stratagies for school nurse research projects
• Recognize barriers to parental permission for school based immunization programs
• Identify quantatative ways to link school driven immunization programs to increased attendance

Keywords: Immunizations, School-Based Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered