Omar Enzo Santangelo1, Francesca Di Gaspare2, Sandro Provenzano1, Giuseppe Ferrucci3, Vincenza Gianfredi4. 1. Scuola di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile "G. D'Alessandro", Università di Palermo, Italia. 2. Scuola di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Italia. 3. Scuola di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Università degli Studi di Salerno, Italia. 4. Scuola di Specializzazione in Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The role of vaccination in reducing the incidence, morbidity and mortality of vaccine preventable diseases is well-known; however, vaccination uptake for some vaccine-preventable diseases remains low among Italian healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge attitudes and practice regarding mandatory vaccinations among Italian health science university students. METHODS: A multi-center study was conducted in 14 Italian universities. A standardized, previously validated and anonymous questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was administered to health science students. The students were informed on the questionnaire during a Hygiene and Preventive Medicine lesson of their degree course, so they were asked to fill it out. A multivariable logistic regression model was used, the results are expressed as adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR). RESULTS: A total of 3131 students completed the questionnaire, of whom 90% were found to be in agreement with the introduction of a mandatory vaccination law for children and 87% with the potential introduction of mandatory vaccination for health care workers. Having an insufficient/sufficient/fair level of knowledge related to vaccine preventable diseases and vaccinations, compared with having a good/excellent level of knowledge, was associated with being less supportive towards the mandatory childhood vaccination law (OR 0,64; IC 95% 0.44-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: We found that having good/excellent knowledge regarding vaccine preventable diseases and their related vaccinations is associated in a statistically significant manner to the propensity towards supporting mandatory vaccinations. This is probably due to a greater awareness of the importance of immunization and its value.
BACKGROUND: The role of vaccination in reducing the incidence, morbidity and mortality of vaccine preventable diseases is well-known; however, vaccination uptake for some vaccine-preventable diseases remains low among Italian healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge attitudes and practice regarding mandatory vaccinations among Italian health science university students. METHODS: A multi-center study was conducted in 14 Italian universities. A standardized, previously validated and anonymous questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was administered to health science students. The students were informed on the questionnaire during a Hygiene and Preventive Medicine lesson of their degree course, so they were asked to fill it out. A multivariable logistic regression model was used, the results are expressed as adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR). RESULTS: A total of 3131 students completed the questionnaire, of whom 90% were found to be in agreement with the introduction of a mandatory vaccination law for children and 87% with the potential introduction of mandatory vaccination for health care workers. Having an insufficient/sufficient/fair level of knowledge related to vaccine preventable diseases and vaccinations, compared with having a good/excellent level of knowledge, was associated with being less supportive towards the mandatory childhood vaccination law (OR 0,64; IC 95% 0.44-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: We found that having good/excellent knowledge regarding vaccine preventable diseases and their related vaccinations is associated in a statistically significant manner to the propensity towards supporting mandatory vaccinations. This is probably due to a greater awareness of the importance of immunization and its value.