Compliance with Preventive Measures and COVID-19 Vaccination Intention among Medical and Other Healthcare Students

Branko Gabrovec (), Špela Selak, Nuša Crnkovič, Andrej Šorgo, Katarina Cesar, Mario Fafangel, Mitja Vrdelja and Alenka Trop Skaza
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Branko Gabrovec: National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Špela Selak: National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Nuša Crnkovič: National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Andrej Šorgo: Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška Cesta 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Katarina Cesar: National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mario Fafangel: National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mitja Vrdelja: National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Alenka Trop Skaza: National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-8

Abstract: Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate compliance with preventive measures and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among Slovenian students of healthcare and medicine, identify the predictive socio-demographic factors, establish the possible causes, and propose vaccination strategies and programs in response to the findings. Methods: Data were collected using an online survey as part of a large cross-sectional study of full-time students engaged in higher-level study. The survey took place between 9 February and 8 March 2021. Results: A total of 56.3% of medical and other healthcare students surveyed expressed their intention to receive the vaccine at the earliest opportunity, 22.4% said that they would do so at a later date and 21.3% said that they did not intend to get vaccinated. The medical students surveyed showed a greater readiness to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity than those studying other healthcare disciplines, men more than women, and single persons more than those in a relationship. Students attending a vocational college, professional higher education or university study program (Bologna first cycle) showed less readiness than other students to get vaccinated as soon as they were able. Conclusion: Our research found that 56.3% of those studying health-related subjects intended to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity. There were significant differences between medical and other healthcare students, as well as differences resulting from the level of higher education study being undertaken. In addition, the conclusions show that there needs to be a strengthening of communication with students regarding COVID-19 and the importance of vaccination. Lessons that we learned in this pandemic should prepare us for the future. Clearer and more effective communication and education in the future regarding the importance of vaccination is the most effective way of preventing communicable diseases.

Keywords: immunization; vaccine hesitancy; pandemics; COVID-19 vaccine; mistrust; fear; college students; vaccination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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