Effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical measures in preventing pediatric influenza: a case–control study
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Date
2015
Authors
Torner Gràcia, Núria
Soldevila, Núria
Garcia, Juan Jose
Launes, Cristian
Godoy i García, Pere
Castilla, Jesús
Domínguez García, Àngela
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CIBERESP Cases and Controls in Pandemic Influenza Working Group, Spain
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Abstract
Background: Hygiene behavior plays a relevant role in infectious disease transmission. The aim of this study was to
evaluate non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) in preventing pediatric influenza infections.
Methods: Laboratory confirmed influenza cases occurred during 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons matched by age
and date of consultation. NPI (frequency of hand washing, alcohol-based hand sanitizer use and hand washing after
touching contaminated surfaces) during seven days prior to onset of symptoms were obtained from parents of
cases and controls.
Results: Cases presented higher prevalence of underlying conditions such as pneumonia [OR = 3.23;
95 % CI: 1.38 – 7.58 p = 0.007], asthma [OR = 2.45; 95 % CI: 1.17 – 5.14 p = 0.02] and having more than 1 risk
factor [OR = 1.67; 95 % CI: 0.99 – 2.82 p = 0.05]. Hand washing more than 5 times per day [aOR = 0.62; 95 % CI: 0.39 –
0.99 p = 0.04] was the only statistically significant protective factor. When considering two age groups (pre-school age
0–4 yrs and school age 5–17) yrs , only the school age group showed a negative association for influenza infection for
both washing more than 5 times per day [aOR = 0.47; 95 % CI: 0.22 – 0.99 p = 0.04] and hand washing after touching
contaminated surfaces [aOR = 0.19; 95 % CI: 0.04 – 0.86 p = 0.03].
Conclusion: Frequent hand washing should be recommended to prevent influenza infection in the community
setting and in special in the school age group.
Keywords: Influenza, Child, Non-pharmaceutical measures, Hand hygiene, Community setting, Prevention, Case control
study
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BMC Public Health, 2015, vol. 15, núm. 1, p. 543