Spring Break
MED to survey students, faculty for influenza analysis
Surveying to begin fall 2008
Andrew Moore
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Campus News
Mu Epsilon Delta (MED), the pre-health science co-ed fraternity at UT Martin, is currently taking on the ambitious task of analyzing the influenza virus on campus, MED's president said.
In preparation for a campus-wide Flu Awareness Drive during the fall semester, MED members have already initiated a project to gather vast amounts of data.
The project, led by MED president Charles Mitchell and members Brandi Griggs, Kyle Bailey, Kimberly Batts and Andrew Moore, will consist of a survey administered to students and faculty on campus that will address critical aspects of the virus.
By administering the survey to the student population, MED hopes to discover trends in flu outbreaks on campus, including what time of year the outbreaks frequently occur and what students do to contain their illness and prevent it from spreading.
Mitchell said MED has taken on the project in hopes of leading the students and faculty to become more aware of influenza and of what can be done to prevent its spreading.
"As a member of Mu Epsilon Delta and a student of a pre-healthcare curriculum, I feel responsible for the health of UTM," Mitchell said. "I knew this project would at least help spread awareness of flu season concerns, even if the study fails to produce valid correlations. Furthermore, epidemiological research projects like this typically better network and educate the students involved with practical experience."
Another aspect that will be addressed by this survey is the use of the flu vaccination.
Many individuals, especially college students, frequently avoid vaccination each year because of a belief that the vaccination will cause the illness, a fear of needles or simply forgetting to go.
The surveys will ask students or faculty members the reasons they don't get vaccinated, and their responses will supply MED with information on how to promote vaccination during the Flu Awareness Drive.
In addition to making the campus body more knowledgeable of the virus, MED plans on using the collected data to encourage the Campus Health Advisory board, the SGA and the campus administration to purchase wall-hanging dispensable hand sanitizers to be placed in high-traffic areas or locations where the flu or other illnesses could be spread more easily.
Brandi Griggs, who will continue working on the project next semester, is looking forward to analyzing the data from the surveys.
"I'm excited to see what students actually know about the flu and what we as a student body still need to learn. That is what will really help us decide which direction to go with our Awareness Drive," Griggs said.
MED is awaiting IRB approval for the project and plans to begin the survey this fall.
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Andrew Moore is an MED correspondent writer for The Pacer.
In preparation for a campus-wide Flu Awareness Drive during the fall semester, MED members have already initiated a project to gather vast amounts of data.
The project, led by MED president Charles Mitchell and members Brandi Griggs, Kyle Bailey, Kimberly Batts and Andrew Moore, will consist of a survey administered to students and faculty on campus that will address critical aspects of the virus.
By administering the survey to the student population, MED hopes to discover trends in flu outbreaks on campus, including what time of year the outbreaks frequently occur and what students do to contain their illness and prevent it from spreading.
Mitchell said MED has taken on the project in hopes of leading the students and faculty to become more aware of influenza and of what can be done to prevent its spreading.
"As a member of Mu Epsilon Delta and a student of a pre-healthcare curriculum, I feel responsible for the health of UTM," Mitchell said. "I knew this project would at least help spread awareness of flu season concerns, even if the study fails to produce valid correlations. Furthermore, epidemiological research projects like this typically better network and educate the students involved with practical experience."
Another aspect that will be addressed by this survey is the use of the flu vaccination.
Many individuals, especially college students, frequently avoid vaccination each year because of a belief that the vaccination will cause the illness, a fear of needles or simply forgetting to go.
The surveys will ask students or faculty members the reasons they don't get vaccinated, and their responses will supply MED with information on how to promote vaccination during the Flu Awareness Drive.
In addition to making the campus body more knowledgeable of the virus, MED plans on using the collected data to encourage the Campus Health Advisory board, the SGA and the campus administration to purchase wall-hanging dispensable hand sanitizers to be placed in high-traffic areas or locations where the flu or other illnesses could be spread more easily.
Brandi Griggs, who will continue working on the project next semester, is looking forward to analyzing the data from the surveys.
"I'm excited to see what students actually know about the flu and what we as a student body still need to learn. That is what will really help us decide which direction to go with our Awareness Drive," Griggs said.
MED is awaiting IRB approval for the project and plans to begin the survey this fall.
-----
Andrew Moore is an MED correspondent writer for The Pacer.
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