Community health workers on a college campus: Effects on influenza vaccination |
| |
| Authors: | Jack J Huang Maria Francesconi Madeline H Cooper Allyson Covello Michelle Guo Soheyla D Gharib |
| |
| Institution: | 1. University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA;2. Harvard University Health Services, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;3. Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;4. Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;5. Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Objective: To assess the impact of a campus community health worker program (HealthPALs) on student influenza vaccination. Participants: Undergraduate students at a northeastern US university (enrollment 6650), influenza seasons 2011–2012 through 2015–2016. Methods: Study design: Difference-in-differences analysis of student vaccination at campus dormitory influenza clinics during intervention vs. baseline. Intervention: In the first intervention year, HealthPALs conducted in-person peer outreach at several campus dormitory flu clinics. Subsequent years, HealthPALs conducted an enhanced intervention, with the addition of a personalized, dormitory-specific social media campaign appealing to students' community identity. Results: The initial intervention increased vaccinations by 66% (IRR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.39-1.97) at intervention clinics relative to control. The enhanced intervention increased vaccinations by 85% (IRR = 1.85, 95%CI 1.75-1.96). Conclusion: Community health workers can be a highly effective, low-cost strategy for increasing influenza vaccination among college students. This model could also be used to address other campus health challenges where student engagement is key. |
| |
| Keywords: | Community health workers health education immunizations seasonal influenza |
|
|
