Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile and prophylactic measures for influenza in the academic community of the University of Passo Fundo (UPF). Methods: In this epidemiological study using data collected from 458 individuals, including academics, staff and professors of the UPF, through a virtual questionnaire on the Google Forms® platform in 2018. The responses of the interviewees were analyzed using the statistical program SPSS/Windows, with descriptive analysis of all variables using Pearson's chi-square statistical test (p<0,05) to assess correlations between responses and generate probabilities. Results: Among the interviewees, 51.8% identified signs of flu, with 63.4% being vaccinated. We did not find an association between smoking, chronic diseases, the number of times the interviewees washed their hands or the use of alcohol gel with the occurrence of flu. However, the use of public transport and the time inside it, proved to be important for dissemination. Conclusion: We did not observe a reduction in the perception of clinical signs of flu among those vaccinated, showing the importance of studying vaccine strains for the southern hemisphere and the presence of different respiratory agents causing disease. Our study is important for the development of public health policies in student environments.