Saudi Healthcare Students' Perceptions and Beliefs About Immunizations: a Descriptive, Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Medical Education

Background:

• Immunization is a cornerstone of public health, yet vaccine hesitancy persists.
• Healthcare professionals play a vital role in influencing public vaccine decisions.
• Understanding student perceptions is key to addressing hesitancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore perceptions and beliefs of Saudi undergraduate healthcare students regarding immunizations.
• To assess student views on the severity of vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccine safety.
• To identify factors influencing these perceptions.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 439 Saudi undergraduate healthcare students at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University.
• Data collected on perceptions of disease severity, infection likelihood, vaccine safety, and immunization beliefs.
• Statistical analysis included non-parametric tests (Kruskal Wallis H-Test, Spearman's Rank-Order Correlation) with p < 0.05 significance.

Main Results:

• Meningitis perceived as most severe; COVID-19 as highest infection risk.
• Concerns about vaccine side effects were highest for the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Student year level and profession significantly impacted perceptions; immunization beliefs varied substantially.

Conclusions:

• Significant heterogeneity exists in Saudi healthcare students' perceptions and beliefs about immunizations.
• Further educational interventions are needed to foster informed and confident future healthcare professionals.
• Addressing these varied perceptions is essential for promoting public vaccine acceptance.