An Assessment of Medical Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Vaccination
Öz
Aim: This study aimed to assess medical students’ knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination and to examine their associations with gender and academic year. Material and Method: This cross-sectional descriptive survey study was conducted among students of Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine between November 2025, and February 2026. Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed through student representatives and WhatsApp communication groups. A total of 303 students who completed the questionnaire were included. Categorical variables were presented as numbers and percentages. Pearson chi-square, Fisher’s exact, or Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact tests were used as appropriate. Cramér’s V was reported as an effect size measure. Results: Of the participants, 175 (57.8%) were female and 128 (42.2%) were male. Most students stated that vaccines protect against various diseases (99.7%) and that vaccine refusal may increase outbreak risk (93.7%). Knowledge of mRNA technology used in some COVID-19 vaccines was reported by 80.9% of students. However, 40.6% expressed concern about serious long-term vaccine side effects. Responses to the statement “Strong immunity eliminates the need for vaccines” differed significantly by gender (p=0.002). Academic year was associated with knowledge that vaccine side effects are usually mild and temporary (p=0.014), knowledge of mRNA technology used in some COVID-19 vaccines (p=0.008), and knowledge that mild post-vaccination symptoms are normal (p=0.007). Conclusion: Medical students’ basic vaccine knowledge and attitudes were generally positive. However, concerns and uncertainty regarding long-term vaccine safety persisted. Structured vaccine education addressing current vaccine technologies, risk communication, and misinformation may help strengthen vaccine confidence among future physicians.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Etik Beyan
Teşekkür
Kaynakça
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Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Klinik Tıp Bilimleri (Diğer)
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yazarlar
Samira Agaliyeva
0009-0009-4974-0441
Türkiye
İrem Durmuş
0009-0006-9767-1549
Türkiye
Sadiye Tatlı
0009-0006-2362-0861
Türkiye
Zeynep Aslantaş
0009-0005-1036-7492
Türkiye
Kadir Ertekin
0009-0003-5579-8726
Türkiye
Yayımlanma Tarihi
10 Eylül 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
3 Mayıs 2026
Kabul Tarihi
22 Haziran 2026
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Cilt: 6 Sayı: 3