TITLE: A Student Survey About Cold and Flu Epidemics In Schools
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Chris Chugden, Amber French, James Rees,
and Whitney Stoppel
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
We would like to do a survey research project on what students
know about cold and flu epidemics in schools. We would also
like to find out about the students' behavior at school which
might expose them to germs that could make them sick. We are
concerned about this problem in our community's schools.
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
Epidemics
Epidemiology is the medical science that includes the
investigation of the incidents and spread of diseases in large
areas with high population and the conditions that influence the
harmfulness of infectious diseases. Epidemiologists find new
ways of disease prevention every day. Many diseases such as the
common cold and influenza (flu) are the most contagious to
everybody. Many people in the country get sick every day
causing absenteeism in schools and businesses everywhere.
Lately, scientists have been studying very fatal, noninfectious
diseases such as AIDS and Ebola. Epidemics can be prevented
before the cause of the disease is found. This is done through
public health measures. Telling people about the causes and the
prevention of diseases is crucial in the control of epidemics.
The surgical mask is the device which can be used to prevent the
spread of germs that cause diseases such as the common cold and
flu.
Public Health
Public health organizations help keep the city or surrounding
areas healthy. The most important things to most of these
organizations are germ-free food and water, effective sanitation
systems, control and prevention of diseases, help to those who
need health care, and laws that contribute to health. The basic
science for evaluating health problems is epidemiology.
In the seventeenth century, William Petty and John Graunt
(physicians) developed a numerical method that might give them
health information on large populations of people. To do this,
they needed accurate data on the population, trade, manufacture,
education, and diseases. This marked the beginning of the
quantitative studies of health and populations.
There are many organizations that help control diseases.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta,
Georgia, USA conducts research on the occurrences of diseases
and develops methods to control them and prevent them. It
provides public heath information and aids in the training of
heath workers. It has nine major departments including the
Center for Environmental Health and Injury Control and the
Epidemiology Program Office.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is the
federal government department that specializes in health care
and social service programs. This service has two predecessors,
the Federal Security Agency, created in 1939, and the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare, created in 1953. The
Department of Health and Human Services took over both of them.
The United States Food and Drug Administration controls the
freshness, purity, and additives of foods and drugs sold to
people. This is done with laws and regulations.
The United States Public Health Service is the main health
service of the federal government and is one of the largest and
most varied organizations. It was founded in 1912, after being
the Marine Hospital Service (1798-1902) providing medical
service to seamen. It gradually grew to include the supervision
of quarantine laws, medical inspection of immigrants, and
general investigations of public health. It is now operating as
a division of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1942 to help
ensure pure water supplies, sanitation systems, health
education, health planning assistance, and health worker
training to all the nations of the world. It deals with
international health issues.
Common Cold
The common cold is a viral infection of the respiratory tract.
The common cold is caused by many types of viruses. It usually
occurs in the nose, the throat, and the lungs. Some of the
symptoms are nasal congestion, coughing, sore throat, and fever.
No cure has yet been found. In the early 1950's, various asthma
drugs were thought to help. Many physicians believe this is not
true if the illness really is the virus-caused cold. Bed rest
is commonly recommended by doctors. Another thing that might
help are taking medicines that focus on the symptoms of the
common cold.
Recent studies show that schools and businesses have had high
rates of absenteeism because of the common cold. The average
person gets two to three colds each year. The labor force has
over 150 million people absent each year! This cost lots of
money for the missed hours.
Anyone is susceptible to the common cold. Children and adults
who are around other children, such as students and teachers,
seem to be the most likely to get colds. Cold viruses are in
lots of places. Common colds spread when people cough or
sneeze. Tiny moist droplets go in the air and are breathed in
by others. The germs then get inside the human's cells lining
the respiratory tract.
So far, scientists have found many ways to prevent the spread of
colds but the virus is still active. Some ways that students
can help protect themselves from getting colds or the flu are
washing their hands, keeping things like pencils and fingers out
of their nose and mouth, not sharing eating utensils, not
drinking out of the same can, cup, or bottle as someone else,
covering their nose and mouth with their arm when they cough or
sneeze, ventilating their classroom, staying away from sick
students, and staying home when they are sick so no one else
will get their illness.
Influenza
Influenza is a highly contagious illness of the respiratory
tract. It is caused by the influenza virus. If you have a
fever, coughing, and painful muscle aches, you might be getting
influenza. Influenza spreads very fast, attacking many people
at a time. This illness lasts anywhere from three to seven
days. It starts abruptly, with a 39.4 degrees Celsius (103
degrees Fahrenheit) fever in adults and higher in children. You
also may be very weak. Plenty of fluids and bed rest may help
you get better.
Influenza is very similar to the common cold. Influenza is very
bad and sometimes can be fatal. Colds and the flu can be caused
by direct contact such as being in places like movie theaters,
theme parks, and other crowded areas. When diseases like the
flu are active (flu season) there are many absences in
factories, businesses, and schools.
Viruses and Bacteria
Little tiny parasites, that include RNA or DNA and a
safeguarding coat of protein, make up viruses. They are the
tiniest living thing that can replicate. Viruses differ in size
and shape. The three most common viral structures that exist
are equilateral triangles, rod-shaped, and tadpole-shaped.
Viruses spread from person to person. When people cough and
sneeze, they let out little tiny moisture droplets. These
droplets contain viruses or bacteria. Other people breathe in
these droplets and may become sick with the virus. Epidemics
caused by viruses come in waves and attack thousands of people.
Viruses are blamed for the common cold and influenza.
Viruses go everywhere and invade cells. If a virus gets in your
body, it will use the cells dividing abilities to reproduce.
Eventually the virus reproduces enough to make you sick.
Viruses cause many diseases including chicken pox, flu, colds,
measles, and AIDS. Viruses are considered cell "hijackers" that
kind of conquer the cells. Sometimes a virus can reproduce
enough to cause a disease like pneumonia. Those diseases can be
fatal.
Bacteria can also make you sick. Bacteria are everywhere and on
everything. Even some foods contain lots of bacteria. Bacteria
and viruses can attack at any moment and can take over cells
very easily. Antibiotics are made to prevent viruses and
bacteria from reproducing. These are used when cells can't
fight off the infection. Today, antibiotics are used very often
to treat diseases.
III. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
__________. (1995). "Epidemiology, Viruses, Common Cold,
Influenza." World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. Chicago:
World Book, Inc.
__________. (1994). "Epidemiology." Microsoft Encarta 1995.
New York: Microsoft Corporation.
__________. (1995). "Influenza, Viruses, Spread, Common Cold."
Infopedia Multimedia Encyclopedia. New York: Future Vision
Multimedia, Inc.
__________. (1993). "Epidemiology, Disease, Public health,
Influenza." The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. New York:
Grolier, Inc.
__________. (1993). "Viruses, Bacteria." The Dorling
Kindersley Science Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley,
Inc.
_________. (1993). "Public Health." The New American Desk
Encyclopedia. New York: Concord Reference Books, Inc.. pp.
1004.
_________. (1994). "Common Cold, Influenza." The Concise
Columbia Encyclopedia. New York: Columbia University Press.
pp. ___.
_________. (1992). "Surgical Masks." The American Heritage
Talking Dictionary. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
_________. (1994). "Epidemiology, Public Health." Microsoft
Encarta '95. New York Microsoft Corporation.
_________. (1995). "Epidemics, Viruses, Influenza." The World
Book Multimedia Encyclopedia - Blue. Chicago: World Book, Inc..
_________. (1995). "Common Cold, Influenza, Viruses."
Infopedia Multimedia Encyclopedia. New York: Future Version
Multimedia Computer, Inc..
IV. HYPOTHESIS:
Our hypothesis states that the majority of students will be at a
high risk of getting sick because of their behavior at school.
V. METHODOLOGY:
First, we identified a problem within our community which was
viral epidemics in schools during the cold and flu season. Then
we developed a statement of purpose. Next, we wrote a review of
literature about epidemiology, viruses, the common cold,
influenza, diseases, and public health. Then we interviewed
numerous community health professionals and school officials
about viral epidemics in schools (the St. Tammany Parish School
Board School nurses, the St. Tammany Parish School Board Census
Department, the St. Tammany Parish Health Unit, and the St.
Tammany Parish Hospital Health Education Program). From the
information we gathered, we developed our hypothesis and a
methodology for testing our hypothesis. Next, we constructed
our questionnaire on the students' knowledge and experiences
with cold and flu epidemics in school. Then we handed out the
questionnaire to 117 randomly chosen 4th, 5th, and 6th grade
students at Mandeville Middle School in Mandeville, Louisiana,
USA. Then we put it out on the Internet for students around the
district, state, nation, and world to complete. After the
completed questionnaires were returned, we scored them and
recorded the data on a data collection form. After that, we
analyzed our data using simple statistics, charts and graphs.
Then we wrote our summary and conclusion where we accepted or
rejected our hypothesis. Finally, we applied our findings to
our school environment.
VI. QUESTIONNAIRE:
1. Colds and the flu are caused by _____.
____a. Bacteria
____b. Viruses
____c. Air pollution
____d. Sitting to close to the TV
2. Lots of students at my school get sick during the cold and
flu seasons.
____a. True
____b. False
3. Do you use soap when you wash your hands at school?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
4. Does your teacher keep your classroom ventilated by opening
a window or a door during the day?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
5. Do you stay home from school when you are sick with a cold
or the flu?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
6. How often does another student cough or sneeze on you at
school?
____a. At least once a day
____b. At least once a week
____c. All the time
____d. Rarely
7. Do you wash your hands with soap before you eat lunch at
school?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
8. Do you wash your hands with soap before you eat a snack at
school?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
9. Do you cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
10. You can reduce the spread of germs by ______.
____a. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
____b. Washing your hands frequently
____c. Keeping your fingers, pencils, etc. out of your nose and
mouth
____d. All of the above
11. I usually catch a cold or the flu from someone at school.
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
12. My parents make me go to school when I have a cold or the
flu.
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
13. Do you ever share a drink with a friend at school by
drinking out of the same bottle, cup, glass, or can.
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
14. Do you share snacks with your friends at school by eating
out of the same bag or container.
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
15. Do you chew on your pencil, pen, or finger nails during
class while at school?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
16. Does your classroom ever get hot and stuffy in the winter
time?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
17. If a friend of yours comes to school sick, do you stay away
from him/her?
____a. Yes
____b. No
18. Do you ever share the same plate, fork, knife, or spoon
when eating with your friends at school.
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
19. Do you lick your fingers after you have eaten a snack?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Sometimes
20. Everyone picks their nose with their fingers at one time or
another.
____a. True
____b. False
21. Everyone picks their teeth with their fingers at one time
or another.
____a. True
____b. False
22. Touching phones, computer keyboards, library books,
doorknobs, desks, and chairs at school is a good way to
contaminate your hands with the germs that can cause colds and
the flu.
____a. True
____b. False
23. Sometimes my mouth or cheek touches the water fountain at
school when I am getting a drink because the water does not come
out strong enough.
____a. True
____b. False
24. A team of students at Mandeville Middle School has designed
a mask that may help keep you well during the cold and flu
season. The Designer Health Mask helps stop the germs that
cause colds and the flu from getting to your mouth and nose
where they can make you sick. The Designer Health Mask is a
surgical mask with art work drawn and painted on the front. You
can even design the art work for your very own mask.
Would you be willing to wear your very own Designer Health Mask
at school during the cold and flu season, if it would help you
stay well?
____a. Yes
____b. No
____c. Maybe, once I learn more about it.
VII. DATA COLLECTION FORM:
1. Colds and the flu are caused by _____.
844 a. Bacteria
604 b. Viruses
87 c. Air pollution
29 d. Sitting to close to the TV
2. Lots of students at my school get sick during the cold and
flu seasons.
1352 a. True
216 b. False
3. Do you use soap when you wash your hands at school?
592 a. Yes
454 b. No
515 c. Sometimes
4. Does your teacher keep your classroom ventilated by opening
a window or a door during the day?
605 a. Yes
226 b. No
736 c. Sometimes
5. Do you stay home from school when you are sick with a cold
or the flu?
799 a. Yes
125 b. No
645 c. Sometimes
6. How often does another student cough or sneeze on you at
school?
346 a. At least once a day
214 b. At least once a week
117 c. All the time
892 d. Rarely
7. Do you wash your hands with soap before you eat lunch at
school?
309 a. Yes
870 b. No
390 c. Sometimes
8. Do you wash your hands with soap before you eat a snack at
school?
113 a. Yes
1168 b. No
288 c. Sometimes
9. Do you cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze?
1232 a. Yes
61 b. No
275 c. Sometimes
10. You can reduce the spread of germs by ______.
116 a. Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
47 b. Washing your hands frequently
66 c. Keeping your fingers, pencils, etc. out of your nose and
mouth
1338 d. All of the above
11. I usually catch a cold or the flu from someone at school.
559 a. Yes
289 b. No
718 c. Sometimes
12. My parents make me go to school when I have a cold or the
flu.
280 a. Yes
718 b. No
571 c. Sometimes
13. Do you ever share a drink with a friend at school by
drinking out of the same bottle, cup, glass, or can.
575 a. Yes
602 b. No
392 c. Sometimes
14. Do you share snacks with your friends at school by eating
out of the same bag or container.
740 a. Yes
298 b. No
527 c. Sometimes
15. Do you chew on your pencil, pen, or finger nails during
class while at school?
608 a. Yes
344 b. No
617 c. Sometimes
16. Does your classroom ever get hot and stuffy in the winter
time?
641 a. Yes
427 b. No
501 c. Sometimes
17. If a friend of yours comes to school sick, do you stay away
from him/her?
658 a. Yes
909 b. No
18. Do you ever share the same plate, fork, knife, or spoon
when eating with your friends at school.
187 a. Yes
1187 b. No
191 c. Sometimes
19. Do you lick your fingers after you have eaten a snack?
1026 a. Yes
205 b. No
333 c. Sometimes
20. Everyone picks their nose with their fingers at one time or
another.
1130 a. True
439 b. False
21. Everyone picks their teeth with their fingers at one time
or another.
1135 a. True
430 b. False
22. Touching phones, computer keyboards, library books,
doorknobs, desks, and chairs at school is a good way to
contaminate your hands with the germs that can cause colds and
the flu.
1118 a. True
450 b. False
23. Sometimes my mouth or cheek touches the water fountain at
school when I am getting a drink because the water does not come
out strong enough.
764 a. True
804 b. False
24. A team of students at Mandeville Middle School has designed
a mask that may help keep you well during the cold and flu
season. The Designer Health Mask helps stop the germs that
cause colds and the flu from getting to your mouth and nose
where they can make you sick. The Designer Health Mask is a
surgical mask with art work drawn and painted on the front. You
can even design the art work for your very own mask.
Would you be willing to wear your very own Designer Health Mask
at school during the cold and flu season, if it would help you
stay well?
192 a. Yes
945 b. No
427 c. Maybe, once I learn more about it.
VIII. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
A total of 1,733 students in grades 2 through 12 from
California, Louisiana, Virginia, Illinois, Washington, DC,
Mississippi, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, Washington, Iowa,
Vermont, Massachusetts, Texas, Kentucky, Montana, New York,
Nebraska, Kansas, Michigan, Oregon, Australia, New Zealand, and
Brazil responded to our questionnaire.
A majority of 86% of the students responding to our
questionnaire reported that lots of students at their schools
get sick during the cold and flu seasons. A majority of 82%
reported that they usually catch a cold or the flu from someone
at school.
At Risk Behavior
A majority of 62% reported that they usually do not use soap
when they wash their hands at school. A majority of 80%
reported that they usually don't wash their hands with soap
before they eat lunch at school. A majority of 93% reported
that they usually don't wash their hands with soap before they
eat a snack at school. A majority of 62% reported that they
usually share a drink with a friend at school by drinking out of
the same bottle, cup, glass, or can. A majority of 81% reported
that they usually share snacks with their friends at school by
eating out of the same bag or container. A majority of 78%
reported that they usually chew on their pencil, pen, or finger
nails during class while at school. A majority of 58% reported
that they usually don't stay away from their friends if they
come to school sick. A majority of 87% reported that they
usually lick their fingers after they have eaten a snack. A
majority of 72% believe that everyone picks their nose with
their fingers at one time or another. A majority of 73% believe
everyone picks their teeth with their fingers at one time or
another. A majority of 61% reported that their teachers usually
do not keep their classrooms ventilated by opening a window or a
door during the day. A majority of 73% reported that their
classrooms usually get hot and stuffy in the winter time. A
small majority of 51% reported that they stay home from school
when they are sick with a cold or the flu, but a majority of 54%
also reported that their parents usually make them go to school
when they have a cold or the flu.
Healthy Behavior
A majority of 78% reported that they cover their mouth and nose
when they sneeze or cough. A majority of 76% reported that they
usually don't share the same plate, fork, knife, or spoon when
eating with their friends at school. A small majority of 51%
reported that their mouth or cheek doesn't usually touch the
water fountain at school when they are getting a drink because
the water does not come out strong enough. A majority of 57%
reported that other students rarely cough or sneeze on them at
school.
Factual Questions
A majority of 61% of the students did not know that colds and
the flu are caused by viruses. A majority of 85% knew that they
can reduce the spread of germs by covering their nose and mouth
when they cough or sneeze, washing their hands frequently, and
keeping their fingers, pencils, etc. out of their nose and
mouth. A majority of 70% knew that touching phones, computer
keyboards, library books, door knobs, desks, toilet flush
handles, and chairs at school is a good way to contaminate their
hands with germs that can make them sick.
Designer Health Mask
A majority of 60% reported that they would NOT be willing to
wear their very own Designer Health Mask at school during the
cold and flu season.
IX. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
A total of 1,733 students from our school district and around
the world responded to our questionnaire.
A majority of students do not use soap to wash their hands at
school before eating lunch and snacks. They share snacks out of
the same bag and drink out of the same container with friends.
They do not stay away from their friends when they come to
school sick. They chew on pencils, pens, and finger nails in
class and lick their fingers after eating snacks. They also
believe that students pick their teeth and nose with their
fingers.
A majority of students report that they, and lots of other
students, get sick at school during cold and flu seasons. They
try to stay home when they are sick, but their parents sometimes
send them to school even though they are ill. Their classrooms
are not usually ventilated by their teacher and get hot and
stuffy during the winter.
A majority would not be willing to wear a Designer Health Mask.
Students in the lower grades tend to be more willing to wear the
Designer Health Mask than students in the middle and upper
grades. This finding clearly demonstrates how important a
health training program for the students' is. Students must be
educated about how a Designer Health Mask can help keep them
well during the cold and flu season.
Finally, 83% of the students who responded to our questionnaire
reported that they usually catch a cold or the flu from someone
at school. Therefore, we accept our hypothesis which stated
that the majority of students will be at a high risk of getting
sick because of their behavior at school.
X. APPLICATION:
Now we know what behaviors and experiences students have at
school that can expose them to germs which could cause them to
get sick. We can apply this to our school environment by
starting a program that would get students in schools to change
their behavior and to wear Designer Health Masks during the cold
and flu season.
We will distribute surgical masks to students and show them how
to create fashionable health masks decorated with art work of
their choice. This will hopefully motivate students to wear the
masks during the flu and cold season.
We will also produce an instructional video which will inform
students about the different ways that they can help protect
themselves from getting colds and the flu such as washing their
hands, keeping thing like pencils and fingers out of their nose
and mouth, not sharing eating utensils, not drinking out of the
same can, cup, or bottle, covering their nose and mouth with
their arm when they cough or sneeze, ventilating their
classroom, staying away from sick students, and staying home
when they are sick so no one else will get infected from their
illness.
© 1998 John I. Swang, Ph.D.