Examining the role of knowledge and trust on vaccine confidence in North Dakota among university students, faculty, and staff

BACKGROUND

Vaccination is one of the greatest tools for individuals to stay healthy. Individuals are, however, often exposed to misinformation via digital and social media, and thus, may miss the opportunity to develop scientific knowledge about vaccines and trust in relevant stakeholders. This has a damaging impact on vaccine confidence. Understanding vaccine confidence is particularly important in North Dakota, where vaccination rates are lower than national averages.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this research are to examine the association between vaccine confidence and three potential sources of it, namely, trust, vaccine knowledge, and vaccine information sources and to investigate the relative strength of three vaccine confidence sources, while accounting for covariates.

METHODS

Students (n = 517, 56.6%) and staff and faculty (n = 397, 43.4%) at the University of North Dakota (n = 914) completed an online survey. Logistic regressions estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations among trust in doctors, family/friends, government health agencies, charitable organizations, and religious organizations, vaccine knowledge, vaccine information sources as well as vaccine confidence, accounting for gender, race, marital status, age, religion, political ideology, education, and health status.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 29.43 years (SD = 13.48). Most were females (71.6%) and white (91.5%). Great trust in doctors (OR = 3.29, p < 0.001, 95%CI 1.89, 5.73) government health agencies (OR = 2.95, p < 0.001, 95%CI 2.13, 4.08) and vaccine knowledge (OR = 1.28, p < 0.001, 95%CI 1.18, 1.38) had higher odds of vaccine confidence. Using Internet Government source as the primary source of vaccine information (OR = 1.73, p < 0.05, 95%CI 1.22, 2.44) showed higher odds of vaccine confidence before all independent variables were introduced, but it became non-significant after they were introduced. Trust in government health agencies showed strongest associations with vaccine confidence.

CONCLUSION

Multiple stakeholders are necessary to ensure verified, accessible, and accurate information in order to advance vaccine confidence in rural, conservative areas.

Assessing associations and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among college students in a university setting

Objectives: This study assessed the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine and factors related to vaccination coverage among college students in a university setting. Methods: A cross-sectional study design included undergraduate and graduate students in a university community as study participants. Survey questions assessed the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine and various predictor variables related to vaccination decision-making. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation statistics, and binary logistic regression. Results: Of the 385 participants, most were undergraduate students. Participants who received the influenza vaccine in the past flu season were more likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants with perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were five times more likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions: Influenza vaccination coverage and perceived susceptibility were associated with the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Study findings may serve to inform behavior change interventions and educational programs for students in university communities.

A qualitative analysis of an online teaching intervention to encourage favorable attitudes toward influenza vaccine among community college students

Objective: To promote influenza vaccine acceptance among community college students during the Fall 2020 semester to reduce the incidence of a "twin-demic" occurring of influenza and COVID-19. Participants: A convenience sample of 185 students enrolled in an entry level health course. Methods: Non-experimental cross-sectional design that used a self-paced, online teaching intervention. Qualitative data in the form of online discussion board posts were collected and analyzed assessing attitudes, normative references, and knowledge. Results: High rates of favorable attitudes toward influenza vaccine, evidence of subjective normative references toward science-based information, and an increase in participant knowledge. Conclusions: An online teaching intervention can be effective in changing attitudes, referencing subjective norms related to scientific information, and increasing knowledge.

Factors influencing nursing students' intention to accept COVID-19 vaccination: A pooled analysis of seven European countries

BACKGROUND

Experiencing the third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, high vaccination coverage by a safe and effective vaccine globally would be a great achievement. Acceptance of vaccination by nursing students is an important issue as they play a decisive role as future professionals in educating patients, counselling, and guiding them to the right clinical decision.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the intention of nursing students to get vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the factors acting either as motivators or as barriers towards vaccination.

DESIGN

A multicenter cross-sectional design.

PARTICIPANTS

In total 2249 undergraduate nursing students participated.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 7 universities in participating countries (Greece, Albania, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, and Kosovo) through a web survey. Data was collected during December 2020-January 2021 in all countries.

RESULTS

Forty three point 8% of students agreed to accept a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, while the acceptance was higher among Italian students. The factors for intention to get vaccinated were male gender (p = 0.008), no working experience in healthcare facilities during the pandemic (p = 0.001), vaccination for influenza in 2019 and 2020 (p < 0.001), trust in doctors (p < 0.001), governments and experts (p = 0.012), high level of knowledge (p < 0.001) and fear of COVID-19 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding of factors that influence students' decision to accept COVID-19 vaccination could increase the acceptance rate contributing to a management of the pandemic.