Attitudes and Concerns Towards the COVID-19 Vaccine: Nursing Students' Perspectives

Authors : Duygu Dişli Çetinçay, Burcu Dişli, Nevin Hotun Şahin

Pages : 807-815

Doi:10.38108/ouhcd.1376381

View : 58 | Download : 48

Publication Date : 2024-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes and concerns of nursing students towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted online between April-September 2021 with 238 nursing students. In the study, three data collection tools were used: the Introductory Information Form, the COVID-19 Personal Information and Experience Form, and Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Vaccine Scale (ATV-COVID-19). Results: In this study, 58.8% of the nursing students were aged 22 and under; 89.9% were women and 78.6% were undergraduate students, and 71.4% were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Nursing students\' ATV-COVID-19 positive attitude sub-dimension mean score was 3.90±0.94, and the negative attitude sub-dimension mean score was 3.45±0.73, and it was found that the attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccines were positive. A statistically significant difference was found between nursing students’ willingness to be vaccinated and vaccination according to the national immunization schedule, opinion on childhood vaccinations, and having sufficient and accurate information about vaccines against COVID-19 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Nursing students\' attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine were positive, but there were concerns about various issues, such as the safety of the vaccines and the possibility of harmful/lethal effects or side effects. Having a positive attitude towards other vaccines and having sufficient and accurate information about vaccines against COVID-19 positively affected students\' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines and the willingness to be vaccinated. It is recommended to carry out campaigns that support positive attitudes towards vaccines, conduct studies on vaccine safety and provide accurate information to promote immunization against epidemiological diseases.
Keywords : aşılama, aşı tutumu, COVID 19 aşıları, hemşirelik öğrencisi