Clinical Scorecard: Evaluation of Influenza Impact, Preventive Practices, and Vaccination Rates Among Diverse University Students in the UAE: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality globally and regionally, with high-risk groups including older adults, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases.
• Influenza vaccination uptake among university students is generally suboptimal, with disparities observed across racial and ethnic groups.
• Higher population-level vaccination coverage provides herd protection, reducing infection rates even among unvaccinated individuals.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Consider influenza in patients presenting with rhinorrhea, fever, cough, and sore throat during influenza season.
• Use laboratory confirmation where available to identify influenza virus types and strains for surveillance and management.

Management

• Mild influenza cases are managed with rest and adequate hydration.
• Antiviral medications such as zanamivir may be used in some cases.
• Severe cases require prompt medical attention to prevent complications like pneumonia and sepsis.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Monitor for symptom progression, especially in high-risk groups.
• Surveillance data should be collected to track circulating influenza strains and vaccination coverage.

Risks

• High-risk populations include immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic diseases.
• Delayed healthcare-seeking behavior increases risk of severe disease and complications.
• Lower vaccination rates in certain racial and ethnic minority groups contribute to disparities in influenza outcomes.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Multi-ethnic university students in the UAE, including diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds

Vaccination uptake is suboptimal; preventive practices and healthcare access vary by sociodemographic factors; targeted interventions are needed to improve vaccination rates and reduce influenza burden.

Clinical Best Practices

• Promote influenza vaccination among university students, emphasizing culturally sensitive education to address disparities.
• Encourage early healthcare-seeking behavior to reduce severity and complications.
• Implement preventive measures such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette in university settings.
• Use surveillance data to inform vaccine composition and public health strategies regionally.

References

• CDC Seasonal Influenza Burden
• Eastern Mediterranean and North African Influenza Surveillance
• Influenza Vaccination Disparities in the US
• University Student Influenza Vaccination Uptake Review