142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

303649
Comparative Analyses of Flu Prevention at New England State Universities: Recommendations for Change

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 : 10:50 AM - 11:10 AM

Adelaide Murray , University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Marc D. Hiller, MPH, DrPH , Department of Health Management and Policy, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Rosemary M. Caron, PhD, MPH , Department of Health Management and Policy, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

In spite of efforts promoting seasonal influenza (flu) immunization on U.S. college campuses, many schools confront significant outbreaks each winter. The ACHA National College Health Assessment found only 40% of college-age students reported receiving flu vaccinations in the last 12 months. This was the second lowest prevalence of the vaccinations reported. Yet, 18% defined the flu as affecting their individual academic performance. This was the 4th highest percentage among the 31 listed factors impacting their academics.

In this 2014 study, existing policies and practices in the six New England state universities were examined to assess each institution’s attempts to prevent and control campus flu outbreaks. The investigation compared and contrasted the effectiveness of these efforts to define a set of best practices for flu prevention in this relatively high risk, high flu-prevalent population. 

Data were collected through surveys and interviews of the six University Student Health Services. Researchers compared and examined infection rates, specific clinical preventive measures, and other prevention procedures used by each. They identified which practices reflected voluntary practices versus those that were mandated in past efforts to contain flu transmission following known outbreaks on each campus.

The authors’ analyses provided the basis for proposing a series of recommended best practices to address this ongoing occurrence on campuses during flu seasons, and to justify imposing more mandatory prevention efforts including required immunizations, social distancing, cancellations of gatherings (including classes and other scheduled events), and segregating infectious versus non-infected students in separate facilities.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Analyze the current flu prevention strategies among the six New England state universities. Describe the argument for imposing more mandatory prevention efforts.

Keyword(s): College Students, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an undergraduate pursuing public health degree and working with (collaborating on this project) two faculty members at the University of New Hampshire and long standing active members of APHA. All three of us are engaged in multiple research studies related to influenza prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.