Health Care Seeking Behavior for Influenza-Like Illness in Izu-Oshima Island

DOI
  • Inamasu Tomoko
    Keio University Global Security Research Institute
  • Deguchi Hiroshi
    Department of Computational Intelligence and Systems Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
  • Ichikawa Manabu
    Department of Bacteriology and Bacterial Infection, Division of Host Defense Mechanism, Tokai University School of Medicine
  • Fujimoto Syuhei
    Department of Bacteriology and Bacterial Infection, Division of Host Defense Mechanism, Tokai University School of Medicine
  • Saito Tomoya
    Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Keio University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 伊豆大島におけるインフルエンザ様疾患による島民の受診行動

Abstract

The epidemiological study of influenza in Izu-Ohshima Island, which started in 2009, enabled us to understand outbreaks with high accuracy by collecting consultation data and performing PCR testing on almost all ILI cases. However, epidemiological studies conducted in healthcare facilities do not allow for the elucidation of underlying issues in infection prevention measures, such as the incidence and disease burden of influenza in households or the size and characteristics of non-consultation groups. We investigated the prevalence and health care seeking behavior of household members and estimated the household burden of disease and the size and characteristics of non-consultation groups. Questionnaires were sent out to all nursery schools and elementary, junior high and high schools in Izu-Ohshima Island on the 13th week of 2010; the responses were returned by post. Household questionnaires asked for the residence area and the number of family members in the household; the individual questionnaires asked for each member’s sex, age, influenza vaccination history and health care seeking behavior．Health care seeking behavior items included the following: presence of fever，influenza-like symptoms, any health care consultations and diagnosis of influenza between August 2009 and March 2010．One unit of time equaled 10 days. During the study, influenza cases were observed in approximately half of the households, and 80% were children under the age of 20．Several influenza cases were reported in the consecutive two units of time in 18% of the respondent households. Adults（20 years and older）had lower consultation behaviors than children（less than 20 years old）．Slightly more than 10% of individuals with fever and influenza-like symptoms did not seek health care. There were also slightly more than 10% of households where none of members got vaccinated against influenza. Infection prevention measures that account for the existence of these non-consultation groups can lead to more effective interventions．

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Details 詳細情報について

  • CRID
    1390007359727809152
  • NII Article ID
    130008067363
  • DOI
    10.34610/tousho.3.1_16
  • ISSN
    24359904
  • Text Lang
    ja
  • Data Source
    • JaLC
    • CiNii Articles
  • Abstract License Flag
    Disallowed

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