Awareness of and adherence to measures of influenza and ARVI prevention among the citizens of Yekaterinburg

Abstract

According to experts, yearly flu rate can constitute 5–20% in adults and 20–30% in children; and in case of development of a pandemic, a number of those suffering from flu‑like infection can be increased by 50%. Vaccination against influenza and properly used non‑specific prevention can exclude seeking medical aid and hospitalization due to high incidence of COVID‑19 and reduce the load to the healthcare system. Research purpose: examine awareness of children, young people and adults about signs of flu, methods of specific and non‑specific prevention and their use in life. Materials and methods: the research was performed in three groups based upon online questioning: 270 adults aged 25 to 60, 1,112 students from universities and colleges aged 15 to 24, 101 schoolchildren aged 11 to 17. The questionnaire included sets of questions that reflected awareness of and commitment of population to measures of specific and nonspecific prevention. The students were questioned from January to February 2022. The obtained results show high flu and ARVI morbidity, insufficient hygienic education and commitment of citizens to the measures of specific and non‑specific flu and ARVI prevention. To improve the situation, not just hygienic education is required, but also education of medical workers, parents, healthcare workers, journalists and correspondents of mass media regarding flu and ARVI prevention, availability of vaccine prevention centers, and consultations of pediatricians and therapists regarding the issues of specific prevention.