Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination Among Medical Students

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire developed based on Lucia et al. The questionnaire included sections on demographic characteristics, perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination, experience with COVID-19 infection, and vaccination behavior. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with vaccine hesitancy with the significant level of p < 0.05.Results: A total of 298 medical students participated in the survey, a response rate of 54.3%. Among the participants, 57.7% were male, 77.9% were in the preclinic, and 60.7% had a Grade Point Average classified as very good. Most ofthe participants (81.5%) reported to take the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as Food and Drug Administration approved is available. Almost all the participants would recommend the COVID-19 vaccine to family and friends (98.7%), to their patients (96.6%), and to the communities (98.3%). The vaccine acceptance group is significantly associated with the participants views that the COVID-19 vaccination is important for them as a healthcare provider (adjust odd ratio (OR) = 10.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-107.08, p-value = 0.042*) and the trust of information related to COVID-19 vaccine from public health experts (adjust OR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.23-5.20, p-value = 0.009*) However, the serious side effects of the vaccine is significantly associated with the vaccine hesitancy (adjust OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.69, p-value = 0.004*).Conclusion: Medical students exhibited a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the serious effects of the vaccine also associated with the vaccine hesitancy. Medical schools could emphasis vaccine-related education, focusing on the safety and potential consequences of vaccines to ensure students are confident in addressing vaccine-related issues.