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Published on: December 1, 2017
College Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about the 2017-2018 H3N2 Influenza Virus and Vaccination
Alexander P Oliver1, M Allison Ford1, Martha A Bass1
1From the Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Departments of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, and Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi, Oxford.
Objectives:
To observe the state of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the effectiveness of the 2017-2018 H3N2 influenza virus vaccine in a representative sample of college students and determine how many students experienced flu-like symptoms, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Methods:
In March 2018, a 19-item survey related to the 2017-2018 flu virus vaccine was e-mailed to a random sample of 4961 rural southeastern university undergraduate and graduate students. A total of 634 students participated.
Results:
Among 634 respondents, 37.5% received a flu vaccination. Knowledge about the flu was significantly associated with the decision to be vaccinated (χ2 = 18.68, P < 0.001). Of those who received the vaccine, 25.2% reported that they knew "a lot" about the flu. Approximately 28.8% of respondents believed the vaccine to be "very effective" (n = 145).
Conclusion:
Increased knowledge about the flu indicates an association with a higher rate of flu vaccinations among college students.
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