title: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. jdecker@wlu.ca
authors.forename: Jody F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: Robin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Slawson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D063373:Hand Hygiene / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011156:Population Density; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines