BACKGROUND: Vaccination coverage against seasonal influenza virus among healthcare personnel is low. The aim of this study was to know the reasons for which the medical students have intention to be vaccinated against influenza when they become healthcare workers (HCWs), and to identify its determining factors.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed during the 2011-2012 school year. It included all enrolled medical students from a Spanish University. The information (intention to be vaccinated, reasons and 8 questions about knowledge of influenza vaccine) was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated and the associations were then evaluated using a Chi-square test and logistic regression.
RESULTS: 654 students of the 1130 (57.9%) completed the questionnaire. 63.0% had intention to be vaccinated. The main reasons to have intention to be vaccinated were: belief that vaccination is convenient (68.2%), to avoid transmitting influenza to patients (65.5%), and to avoid getting influenza from patients (64.8%). The main reasons for not having intention to be vaccinated were: low risk of influenza (41.7%) and to avoid shots/medication (27.7%). Knowledge that the vaccine is recommended for HCWs was associated with the intention (p= 0.000).
CONCLUSION: Intention to get vaccinated was high regarding current coverage; thus, it is needed to investigate why the coverages against influenza among Spanish physicians are usually low. The level of knowledge has left room for improvement and knowing that the vaccine is recommended for HCWs was associated with the intention.
