An Evaluation of Behavioral Health Compliance and Microbial Risk Factors on Student Populations Within a High-Density Campus

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this Canadian study was to assess student behavioral response to disease transmission risk, while identifying high microbial deposition/transmission sites. Participants: A student survey was conducted during October 2009. Methods: The methods included a survey of students to assess use of health services, vaccination compliance, and hygiene along with a microbial analysis of potential transmission sites targeting specific residence buildings on campus. Results: Results indicated that most students maintained that they were worried about H1N1 and reported making changes in hygienic behavior, with the majority not planning to be vaccinated. The microbial analysis indicated contamination of fomites in co-ed residences to be higher than either male or female student residences. Conclusions: A consideration of physical space along with behavioral factors is required in order to properly assess risk pathways in the establishment of an evidence-based infection control plan for universities and their contiguous communities.

Keywords:

• gendered behavior
• microbial load
• place effects
• student residence
• zigzag transmission

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by funds from Wilfrid Laurier University to J. F. Decker and R. M. Slawson. The authors express their sincere appreciation to J. Morrison and A. Higgins for microbiological sampling and enumeration. The authors also thank M. Grocholsky for residence access and to S. Docherty and M. Kirkpatrick for assistance with behavioral data analysis.