Aim: To evaluate college students' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about antibiotic use for simple viral infections, as well as determine if knowledge could be improved through an educational intervention and examine impacts on overall patient satisfaction.Background: Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem. College-aged students are at an increased risk for simple respiratory infections due to their close living conditions and poor knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use (Smith, Rigassio-Radler, Denmark, Haley, & Touger-Decker, 2012; Turner & Keller, 2015).Methods: Students (N = 44) age 19-25 seen at the college health center of a small, private Nebraska university presenting with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (URI) were given a survey prior to seeing the healthcare provider. During the visit, providers reviewed an educational handout discussing appropriate antibiotic use for URIs and then gave the student a post-survey to complete.Results: Students' Basic Knowledge of antibiotics improved, p = .1, Cohen's d = 0.41 as a result of the educational intervention, while changes in knowledge about Efficacy and Provider trust was mixed. Knowledge of correct use/misuse was high at pre, M = 1.95 and post M = 1.93.Conclusions: College-aged students benefit from additional education about antibiotics. Based on this project's findings, educational handouts have the potential to improve knowledge regarding antibiotics.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection in the United States associated with nearly 26,000 cases of cancer annually. With the recent addition of Gardasil 9, three vaccines are now licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for HPV prevention. While providers are the preferred source in educating individuals on HPV and HPV vaccination, low uptake percentages indicate that providers are missing valuable opportunities to educate and strongly recommend HPV vaccination. It is critical to examine perceived barriers and attitudes among providers related to HPV and HPV vaccination to identify factors that influence vaccination coverage. This paper aims to expand provider knowledge and awareness of factors that may facilitate an increase in HPV vaccination coverage and subsequent cancer prevention.

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Cocooning is a strategy to protect infants from pertussis. This study explored the postpartum Tdap status of close newborn contacts during a primary care visit. The findings include a summary of the results and the implications for nurse practitioner practice to decrease the incidence of pertussis in the young infant.

Immunization rates among health care personnel (HCP) have remained low despite advances in vaccine development with reported rates ranging from 27% to 72% for commonly recommended vaccines. Within the United States, HCP are placing patients, families, and themselves at considerable risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. A significant source of infection, HCP are carriers of infectious agents and often unknowingly transmit these contagious diseases while experiencing minimal or no symptoms. This study examined the current immunization rates of HCP for influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), and hepatitis B in Nebraska, as well as identified motivators and barriers to vaccination. Nebraska HCP surveyed included physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, nursing assistants, and clerical or administrative staff of nonrestricted ethnic backgrounds age 19 years and older. Nebraska HCP immunization rates were statistically above the national rates. Motivators and barriers were also identified for each vaccine.