A Quantitative Analysis of At-Risk University Students' Knowledge of Valley Fever
Background: Valley Fever, is a fungal pathogen endemic to the Southwest States; in California’s Central Valley it is caused by inhalation of Coccidioides immitis. 60% of those infected are asymptomatic. It usually presents as flu-like illness, though symptoms can range from meningitis to a lesion in virtually any body tissue. Pregnant women, persons of Filipino, Hispanic, and African-American ancestry are thought to be at greatest risk from Valley Fever. There are no proven methods of primary prevention, but secondary prevention can help prevent complications from going unnoticed. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of Valley Fever of various demographic groups.
Methods: A convenience sample of 750 college students (n=750) was given a survey to assess their knowledge of Valley Fever’s etiology, symptoms, and treatment. The survey data was collected by the participants in an undergraduate nursing course. The data is currently under analysis.
Results: The preliminary results show that students who self-identify as Filipino are significantly more likely to correctly identify the symptoms of valley fever. No other differences are yet noted
Implications: Education: The immediate results show that public education for secondary prevention is necessary. Given the danger that meningitis poses, there is a need for better public health information. After further analysis of the data, more specifically tailored educational programs can be proposed.
Practice: Nurses should themselves be educated on the signs and symptoms of Valley Fever so that they may inform their clinical practice and educate their patients.
Research: Future research on Valley Fever awareness in the general community will allow for an assessment of the knowledge baseline in the community. The current research can serve as a pilot study for a more detailed analysis of the community’s knowledge of Valley Fever.