Incidence of vaccination against influenza and rate of upper respiratory tract infections morbidity among Lithuanian university of health sciences medicine faculty medicine academy students

Abstract

Introduction In Lithuania there is a widespread view that vaccination against influenza is not necessary. However, people in Lithuania are at high risk to get an upper respiratory tract infection due to the cold season. Especially medical students from 4-6 courses. They have close contact with patients in hospitals and can be infected or transfer the infection to them. Both ways the outcome is undesirable. We decided to determine the morbidity of upper respiratory tract infection and rate the immunization against influenza among students. Aim To evaluate the rate of vaccination against influenza among Lithuanian’s University of Health and Science, Medicine Academy, Medicine Faculty, students (LSMU MA MF) from 4 to 5 courses and the impact of the vaccine on upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). Objectives 1. To determine the rate of vaccination against influenza among LSMU MA MF students’ from 4-5 courses. 2. To compare morbidity of URTI between vaccinated and non-vaccinated students. 3. To compare the development of complications between vaccinated and non-vaccinated students after URTI. 4. To set the influence of lifestyle on URTI morbidity. Methods An internet survey of LSMU MA MF medical students from 4 to 5 courses was carried out. People had to answer anonymously to 12 questions of the created questionnaire. The sample size was 388 students. Two groups were concluded: respondents with URTI - 221 (57.3%) and respondents with no history of URTI- 167 (42.7%). Also we distinguished one major group of non-vaccinated students - 367 (94.5%) and one minor group of vaccinated students – 21 (5.5%) Vaccinations and sickness rates were evaluated in 2014 -09 -01 - 2015-02-28 period. Aspects that were assessed: vaccination rate, morbidity of URTI, development of complications after URTI (students expressed their condition after their illness in the internet survey), lifestyle influence (smoking, physical acti[...].