Education on Vaccination Competence: an Intensive Course for Skillful Health Science Students

Dimitra Perifanou; Eleni Konstantinou; Sari Nyman; Anne Nikula; Aija Ahokas; Joan-Carles Casas-Baroy; Daniela Cavani; Paola Ferri; Paola Galbany-Estragués; Cinzia Gradellini; Kristina Grendova; Michaela Machajova; Montse Romero-Mas; Daniela Mecugni; Xavier Palomar-Aumatell; Janka Prnova; Carme Roure Pujol; Heli Thomander; Evanthia Sakellari

doi:10.5455/msm.2023.35.312-318

Education on Vaccination Competence: an Intensive Course for Skillful Health Science Students

Mater Sociomed. 2023;35(4):312-318. doi: 10.5455/msm.2023.35.312-318.

Authors

Dimitra Perifanou¹, Eleni Konstantinou¹, Sari Nyman², Anne Nikula², Aija Ahokas², Joan-Carles Casas-Baroy³, Daniela Cavani⁴, Paola Ferri⁴, Paola Galbany-Estragués⁵, Cinzia Gradellini⁶, Kristina Grendova⁷, Michaela Machajova⁷, Montse Romero-Mas⁸, Daniela Mecugni⁶, Xavier Palomar-Aumatell⁹, Janka Prnova⁷, Carme Roure Pujol¹⁰, Heli Thomander¹¹, Evanthia Sakellari¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public and Community Health, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
² School of Health Care, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland.
³ Experimental Sciences and Methodology Department, University of Vic, Central University of Catalonia, Spain.
⁴ Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
⁵ Department of Fundamental and Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, Spain.
⁶ Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry, Morphological Sciences, with Transplant, and Regenerative Medicine Interest, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
⁷ Department of Public Health, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia.
⁸ Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare, University of Vic, Central University of Catalonia, Spain.
⁹ Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Vic- Central University of Catalonia, Spain.
¹⁰ Department of Social Sciences and Community Health, Research Group on Mental Health and Social Innovation (SaMIS,) University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Spain.
¹¹ School of Rehabilitation and Examination, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland.

Abstract

Background: Vaccination is one of the most successful and cost-effective interventions for public health. Studies have shown that health professionals who have good knowledge and positive attitudes towards vaccination are more likely to provide effective vaccination protection to people, including themselves. Therefore, health science students must acquire evidence-based knowledge during their education to meet the challenges of healthcare.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and feedback of health science students who participated in the Educating Vaccination Competence (EDUVAC) Intensive Course.

Methods: A five-day Intensive Course was implemented for health science students, which included a pre-assignment. The EDUVAC Intensive Course used different teaching methods (lectures, workshops, interactive games, discussions), group work, study visits, and cultural programs to encourage students' motivation. For the purpose of the study, students filled out an online questionnaire after giving informed consent.

Results: Sample consisted of 31 health science students from five European Higher Institutions. They had very good knowledge on most knowledge questions. In the post measurement it was significantly greater and equal to 81%, p<0.001. Almost all students (93.5%) totally agreed that "It is important for adults to receive all recommended vaccines according to national guidelines". The statement "I have had an active attitude and participation in the Intensive Course" received 80.6% total agreement. Over 90.3% rated the Intensive Course as "excellent" or "above average".

Conclusions: After completing the EDUVAC Intensive Course, students felt confident in their vaccination knowledge and skills, which benefited their professional development.

Keywords: attitudes; health science students; intensive course; knowledge; satisfaction; vaccination competence.

© 2023 Dimitra Perifanou, Eleni Konstantinou, Sari Nyman, Anne Nikula, Aija Ahokas, Joan–Carles Casas–Baroy, Daniela Cavani, Paola Ferri, Paola Galbany-Estragués, Cinzia Gradellini, Kristina Grendova, Michaela Machajova, Montse Romero-Mas, Daniela Mecugni, Xavier Palomar-Aumatell, Janka Prnova, Carme Roure Pujol, Heli Thomander, Evanthia Sakella.