Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitudes towards the Influenza Vaccine among Future Healthcare Workers in Poland

Sylwia Kałucka, Agnieszka Głowacka, Elżbieta Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk and Izabela Grzegorczyk-Karolak
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Sylwia Kałucka: Department of Coordinated Care, Medical University of Lodz, 90-251 Lodz, Poland
Agnieszka Głowacka: Department of Developmental Nursing and Health Promotion, Medical University of Lodz, 90-251 Lodz, Poland
Elżbieta Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland
Izabela Grzegorczyk-Karolak: Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Lodz, 90-151 Lodz, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: The flu vaccine is the best treatment for avoiding the flu and its complications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge of the flu vaccine and attitude towards the influenza vaccine among medical students in four majors of study (Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, and Public health) in all years of study. A total number of 1137 subjects took part in the study. Most of the vaccinated students assessed the flu vaccine positively (78.5%, 73.7%, 60.7%, and 65.1%, according to their respective majors) and reported that they did not get the flu during the period of vaccination (90.4%, 92.1%, 87.4%, and 97.7%, respectively). Therefore, 65% of the students of Pharmacy, 78% of Midwifery, and 83% of Nursing who were vaccinated once in the last three years recommended the influenza vaccination, and 100% of all students received a regular vaccination every year. The univariate and multivariate logistic regressions showed that a maximum of four factors had a significant impact on the students’ knowledge of the influenza vaccine. Knowledge about the flu vaccine was the highest among Pharmacy students and lowest among Public health students. Final-year students answered the questions better than the younger ones ( p < 0.05). Their place of residence and flu vaccination status also appeared to influence their answers. Although all students demonstrated good knowledge of the flu vaccine and demonstrated positive attitudes towards the vaccine, their rate of immunization was low. Therefore, health promotion programs are needed to improve immunization coverage among medical students who are future healthcare workers.

Keywords: flu vaccine; knowledge; beliefs; attitudes; nursing; public health; pharmacy; midwifery; students; survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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