[Opinions, attitudes and knowledge of Italian health science university students on mandatory vaccinations: a cross-sectional study].

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.