Vaccine Hesitancy among Master’s Degree Students in Nursing and Midwifery: Attitude and Knowledge about Influenza Vaccination

Claudia Mellucci, Andrea Tamburrano, Fabiana Cassano, Caterina Galletti, Anna Sguera, Gianfranco Damiani and Patrizia Laurenti
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Claudia Mellucci: Section of Hygiene, Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Andrea Tamburrano: Section of Hygiene, Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Fabiana Cassano: Section of Hygiene, Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Caterina Galletti: Section of Hygiene, Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Anna Sguera: Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Gianfranco Damiani: Section of Hygiene, Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Patrizia Laurenti: Section of Hygiene, Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-11

Abstract: Influenza vaccination among healthcare workers may reduce morbidity and protect fragile patients. Most of the evidence concerning the vaccine hesitancy of healthcare workers reported lack of knowledge and wrong attitude. The aims of this study were to explore the knowledge and attitudes about influenza vaccination among master’s degree students in Nursing and Midwifery, and to evaluate the effectiveness of their involvement in the hospital vaccination campaign in order to increase intention to receive immunization. The students of nurses and midwives were involved in the vaccination sessions of the 2018–19 hospital campaign. They were recruited to complete an online survey. Students of the 2nd year (involved in the vaccination campaign) and the 1st year (not involved) were compared. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed for data analysis. Students who intend to receive influenza vaccination in the following year registered a percentage of 83.6% and showed an overall attitude of 66.8%. The involvement of the students in the vaccination campaign led to a significant increase in their positive vaccination attitude (80.9% vs. 87.0%) and in their intention to receive flu vaccination in the following year (67.7% vs. 100%). A positive attitude towards vaccinations was observed by nurses and midwives. Their involvement in the planning and activities during the vaccination campaign could positively influence their opinions and intention to receive vaccination.

Keywords: nurses; midwives; students; influenza vaccination; attitude; survey; public health; preventive medicine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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