Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University
Introduction: The world faced serious health and socioeconomic issues with the advent of COVID-19. Along with handwashing, social distancing, and the wearing of masks, vaccination was considered by medical authorities as a key way to curb the spread of the virus. One of the measures that have been p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Vaccines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/7/1215 |
| _version_ | 1797587276502401024 |
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| author | Elona Kongo Kleva Shpati Aida Dama Sibela Ymeraj Ema Murati Uels Veliaj Sonela Xinxo |
| author_facet | Elona Kongo Kleva Shpati Aida Dama Sibela Ymeraj Ema Murati Uels Veliaj Sonela Xinxo |
| author_sort | Elona Kongo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The world faced serious health and socioeconomic issues with the advent of COVID-19. Along with handwashing, social distancing, and the wearing of masks, vaccination was considered by medical authorities as a key way to curb the spread of the virus. One of the measures that have been proposed to increase vaccinations is the mandatory policy. The purpose of this study was to compare the determinants of voluntary and mandatory vaccination among students at Albanian University. Methodology: This cross-sectional study, conducted by means of an online survey, was conducted among students enrolled at the private Albanian University, Tirana, Albania during the last week of the winter semester, 7–14 February 2022. Results: In sum, 878 students participated in this study, among whom 612 (69.7%) were females and 266 (30%) were males. Of the participants, 506 (57%) were enrolled in medical science (MS) and 372 (42.3%) were in the non-medical science (Non-MS) group. A total of 773 (88%) were vaccinated against COVID-19, and 105 (11.8%) were not vaccinated. A total of 466 (53%) reported voluntary vaccination, and 412 (46.9%) reported mandatory vaccination. Among the students who were vaccinated voluntarily, 266 (57%) were from the MS group and 200 (42.9%) were from the Non-MS group. A total of 237 (57.5%) of students in the mandatory vaccination group were from the MS group, and 175 (42.4%) were from the Non-MS group. Conclusions: Vaccine safety and efficacy were hindering factors in vaccination. Additionally, based on the results of this study, the students felt encouraged by the academic staff to vaccinate. This clearly demonstrates that the staff does not lack the skills to enhance students’ knowledge about the risk of infectious diseases and the importance of vaccination. Therefore, to influence students’ attitudes as much as possible toward vaccination, comprehensive educational programs, including modifications of existing curricula, should be considered. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:34:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-052f98039736428a8c6ef2e55bdbb896 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-393X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:34:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vaccines |
| spelling | doaj.art-052f98039736428a8c6ef2e55bdbb8962023-11-18T21:41:15ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2023-07-01117121510.3390/vaccines11071215Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian UniversityElona Kongo0Kleva Shpati1Aida Dama2Sibela Ymeraj3Ema Murati4Uels Veliaj5Sonela Xinxo6Dentistry Department, Faculty of Medical Science, Albanian University, 1017 Tirana, AlbaniaPharmacy Department, Faculty of Medical Science, Albanian University, 1017 Tirana, AlbaniaPharmacy Department, Faculty of Medical Science, Albanian University, 1017 Tirana, AlbaniaDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Albanian University, 1017 Tirana, AlbaniaDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Albanian University, 1017 Tirana, AlbaniaIT Department, Albanian University, 1017 Tirana, AlbaniaDentistry Department, Faculty of Medical Science, Albanian University, 1017 Tirana, AlbaniaIntroduction: The world faced serious health and socioeconomic issues with the advent of COVID-19. Along with handwashing, social distancing, and the wearing of masks, vaccination was considered by medical authorities as a key way to curb the spread of the virus. One of the measures that have been proposed to increase vaccinations is the mandatory policy. The purpose of this study was to compare the determinants of voluntary and mandatory vaccination among students at Albanian University. Methodology: This cross-sectional study, conducted by means of an online survey, was conducted among students enrolled at the private Albanian University, Tirana, Albania during the last week of the winter semester, 7–14 February 2022. Results: In sum, 878 students participated in this study, among whom 612 (69.7%) were females and 266 (30%) were males. Of the participants, 506 (57%) were enrolled in medical science (MS) and 372 (42.3%) were in the non-medical science (Non-MS) group. A total of 773 (88%) were vaccinated against COVID-19, and 105 (11.8%) were not vaccinated. A total of 466 (53%) reported voluntary vaccination, and 412 (46.9%) reported mandatory vaccination. Among the students who were vaccinated voluntarily, 266 (57%) were from the MS group and 200 (42.9%) were from the Non-MS group. A total of 237 (57.5%) of students in the mandatory vaccination group were from the MS group, and 175 (42.4%) were from the Non-MS group. Conclusions: Vaccine safety and efficacy were hindering factors in vaccination. Additionally, based on the results of this study, the students felt encouraged by the academic staff to vaccinate. This clearly demonstrates that the staff does not lack the skills to enhance students’ knowledge about the risk of infectious diseases and the importance of vaccination. Therefore, to influence students’ attitudes as much as possible toward vaccination, comprehensive educational programs, including modifications of existing curricula, should be considered.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/7/1215COVID-19vaccinemedical science studentsmandatory policy |
| spellingShingle | Elona Kongo Kleva Shpati Aida Dama Sibela Ymeraj Ema Murati Uels Veliaj Sonela Xinxo Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University Vaccines COVID-19 vaccine medical science students mandatory policy |
| title | Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University |
| title_full | Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University |
| title_fullStr | Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University |
| title_short | Determinant Factors of Voluntary or Mandatory Vaccination against COVID-19: A Survey Study among Students at Albanian University |
| title_sort | determinant factors of voluntary or mandatory vaccination against covid 19 a survey study among students at albanian university |
| topic | COVID-19 vaccine medical science students mandatory policy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/7/1215 |
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