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Flu Fighters

Locations: Primary healthcare centers in Nablus city and surrounding refugee camps

Timeline: April to July, 2025

Target population: Mothers of children under 17 visiting primary healthcare centers

Field: Epidemiology

Influenza is more than just a seasonal illness; rather; it can lead to severe complications, hospitalizations, and deaths among various age groups. Influenza viruses are members of the orthomyxoviridae family, consisting of enveloped viruses with segmented, single-stranded RNA genomes. Among the four identified types, only influenza A and B are responsible for causing both seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics in humans. Influenza causes approximately one billion infections annually, leading to an estimated 290,000 to 650,000 deaths globally. Vaccination is the most effective strategy for preventing influenza and its complications. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all people aged six months or older, with a priority on high-risk groups. Palestinian health bodies implement seasonal influenza vaccination policies, with active influenza case and mortality surveillance systems, while data on hospitalization rates are unavailable.

An-Najah Global Health Institute will launch the “Flu Fighters” campaign in April 2025. This five-month initiative targets mothers in Nablus Old City and refugee camps to empower them with essential knowledge on flu prevention, effective hygiene, and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination. The campaign will be delivered through 64 interactive educational workshops held at four primary healthcare centers, where mothers will engage in art-based activities and live demonstrations. These hands-on sessions will address proper handwashing techniques, the importance of sanitizer use, and the benefits of flu vaccination. The campaign will also engage community leaders to help spread prevention strategies beyond the workshops.

To measure the effectiveness of these efforts, pre- and post-campaign surveys will be conducted to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. With focus on a preventive approach, Flu Fighters campaign aims to reduce infectious complications and improve health outcomes for children by adopting an informed strategy and creating a prepared community.

Objectives:

  1. Increase awareness among mothers about flu prevention and the importance of vaccination
  2. Promote infection control by encouraging handwashing and sanitizer use
  3. Engage community leaders to help spread flu prevention strategies