Evaluation of knowledge and barriers of influenza vaccine uptake among university students in Saudi Arabia; a cross-sectional analysis

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13959
• Publication Date: 2022-09-28T07:50:07Z
• Authors: Tauqeer Hussain M...; Nida Bokharee; Munnaza Bukhsh; Yusra Habib Khan; Abdulaziz Ibrahim...; Faiz Ullah Khan; Salah-Ud-Din Khan; Nasser Hadal Alot...; Abdullah Salah Al...; Muhammad Hammad Butt; Ahmed D. Alatawi; Muhammad Shahid I...
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Pandemic; Seasonal influenza

Background Influenza vaccine hesitancy is a significant threat to global maneuvers for reducing the burden of seasonal and pandemic influenza. This study estimated uptake, barriers, willingness influenza vaccines among university students in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted health science (HS) non-health (NHS) students. 31-item questionnaire used ascertain vaccination rate, flu vaccine. Results included 790 (mean age: 21.40 ± 1.94 years), 246 (31.1%) from HS 544 (68.9%) NHS disciplines. About 70% did not take shots before arrival winter. The mean knowledge score 7.81 1.96, where 20.4%, 67.6%, 12% respondents had good, moderate, poor regarding vaccines. relative importance index (RII) analysis showed lack recommendation physicians (51.5%, RI ranked: 1) top-ranked barrier followed by negative perceptions accessibility issues. Only 36.6% participants were willing get vaccinated every year, receive on their doctor’s recommendations, 46% agreed vaccinate if freely available university. knowledge, widely varied across two Conclusions Our underscored low uptake In addition, participants’ unsatisfactory, they less inclined future. Lack physicians, towards vaccine, difficult found as barriers uptake. multidimensional approach at educational institutes cover gap address curtailing rate recommended.