Use of the Community Assessment for Public Health Response (CASPER) method to assess influenza vaccination and activity in Brazos County, Texas

Abstract

Objectives: Based on an increase in influenza cases in Brazos County, Texas, a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) was conducted by the Brazos County Health Department (BCHD) and the Texas A&M School of Public Health's EpiAssist program. The goal of the CASPER was to supplement other data sources to assess vaccination rates and influenza prevalence in the community during a period of high influenza activity nationwide.

Methods: Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) CASPER toolkit, 30 census blocks in Brazos County were selected probability proportionate to population size. Seven interviews were attempted in each selected census block by an interview team. The survey contained 21 questions in 5 domains, including demographics, general infection control knowledge, prior infection with influenza, prior experience with influenza vaccine, and attitudes towards influenza vaccination. Survey results were entered into a database for the calculation of frequencies, crude odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Two-hundred and seven households completed the survey. Estimated vaccination rates in Brazos County adults were higher than Texas adults overall, but rates did not differ among children. Forty-two (20.4%) of respondents reported having influenza illness during the month of December 2017. Overall, respondents were knowledgeable of influenza transmission and prevention and reported few barriers and objections to the vaccine; however, some responses suggest misinformation that could be addressed through communication from local health departments exists. African American/Black respondents were less likely to receive a vaccine than respondents of other races, while individuals age 65 and over as well as those who believed the vaccine to be effective were more likely to be vaccinated.

Conclusion: CASPER should be considered a tool for assessing influenza vaccine and disease status of communities and has potential for providing information useful in the development of public health initiatives.

Keywords: Disease transmission; Household survey; Infection prevention; Influenza.