Assessing Risk of Influenza Infection on a College Campus: An Emphasis on Housing Arrangement

Abstract

Biblical worldview on the influenza investigation and the investigation's implication for the Liberty Culture. The research we conducted, everything from study design to our results, was done to improve people's lives. In this study, we were guided by the precedent that was set by Jesus during his ministry, to be lights of the gospel by seeking to prevent diseases and easing afflictions. Everywhere Christ went in his ministry he healed first, and then he spoke the gospel. Through his actions and teachings, Jesus asserted that caring for the health of the world should be a priority for Christians. In Luke 10 is a story of Jesus giving something like a mission briefing to his disciples before he sends them to do his work (with some of his godly power), Jesus said in Luke 10:1, "to cast [unclean spirits] out, and to heal every disease and affliction (ESV)." We believe this influenza investigation can make an influence on our community's health and God smiles when Christians spread health to those comforted in His name. This research investigation shines a light on a previously unknown fact about Liberty's campus, that both the low flu vaccination rates and high flu-like symptom prevalence need to be addressed. The overall vaccination prevalence of those surveyed was 14%, this is low; the overall flu vaccination prevalence of the country, from 2009 to 2014, for adults over the age of 18 is 42% (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1314estimates.htm#age-group-adults). This is three times less than the national average. For the prevalence of flu-like symptoms, Liberty students had higher rates than the national average, which is 31.7% (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/flu.htm). These findings lead to three ways our study can influence Liberty culture. The first role is to increase flu education campaigns on campus. Learning about a problem or issue is often seen as the first step in addressing that problem. So, if more students learn that the flu is a reason students get sick on campus they may be more likely to get vaccinated. The second way this investigation can affect our community is through more people having the flu shot. We hope that when students see the research that it will spark their interest in getting the flu shot to prevent getting the flu. Finally, we hope that this study will prevent further student illness. No one likes to get sick, especially college students. They have many things to worry about: exams, paper, and balancing aspects of social life. Coming down with the flu can severely complicate college life, but we hope this study will be able to shine a light on the flu at Liberty's campus.