Attitudes towards vaccinations among a group of university students

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is an important part of maintaining good health. Sometimes, however, we have doubts. The issue of safety crops up. The fear of the more serious consequences caused by infections is no longer getting much emphasis these days. The primary aim of the study is to learn about the attitude of selected students at the Juhász Gyula Faculty of Education, University of Szeged, in relation to the prevention of infections with vaccines.

Methodology: An online, anonymous questionnaire was administered in the target group (N = 93). The questions focused on vaccinations received in the period of 2014–2019, sources of information about recommended vaccines, and vaccination attitude. Descriptive and analytical (chi-square test) statistical methods were applied for data analysis.

Results: The uptake of recommended vaccinations is not typical among the examined target group; more than half of the students would not even recommend their uptake. They believe that there are other effective ways to control infectious diseases. Their decision to take up vaccinations can be influenced by several factors. Some of these are, the cost of vaccination, a sense of necessity regarding vaccination, distrust towards vaccination, and the fear of disease. Some people involved in the study have incorrect information about vaccinations. Influenza vaccine uptake was more common among men. Collecting information on recommended vaccinations was more significant among students in the postgraduate and in the teachers’ special exam training. The source of information is primarily the family doctor, but among those in the special exam training, a family member is just as important a source as the media. Less than one-fifth of those questioned were able to name a reliable Internet source for reference.

Conclusions: It is necessary to address students’ distrust and incorrect information about vaccinations and encourage them to think critically, as their role is decisive. Through their health communication, information and knowledge, they are able to positively influence the attitudes of people in their environment towards vaccinations, and to dispel misconceptions about them.