Comparative assessment of adherence to vaccination of young mothers and medical university students

Abstract

Vaccination is a proven tool for fighting infectious diseases. With the development of the pandemic, the relevance of vaccination prevention has significantly increased, and therefore the importance of considering aspects of vaccination among various population groups has increased. Of particular importance is the commitment to vaccination of medical university students, as future doctors on the one hand, and young mothers on the other. P u r p o s e – identification of the peculiarities of adherence to vaccination of students of a separate medical university and young mothers of a certain territory to optimize the popularization of vaccination prevention. M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s . A comparative study of vaccination adherence of 167 medical university students (average age 22,3±0,79 years) and 200 mothers aged 19 to 30 years (average age 23,5±5,1 years) living in Smolensk was planned and conducted. In the course of the study, statistical, analytical methods, and open online questionnaires were used. R e s a l t s . The analysis of the results of the survey of young mothers and medical students indicates a generally positive attitude towards vaccination, the importance of which is understood by more than half of the respondents. Respondents of both groups are actively interested in the topic of vaccination prevention and would like to receive more information on this issue. The main source of information about vaccination in both young mothers and medical students are medical professionals. The majority of respondents of both sexes will vaccinate their children within the framework of the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations. F i n d i n g s . It is necessary to strengthen the formation of commitment to vaccine prevention among medical students and young mothers. This can be done by making changes in the educational structure; conducting webinars, seminars, conferences on immunoprophylaxis; development of informational materials for the population on vaccine prevention in the form of models, posters with the participation of students. It will be advisable to involve volunteers – medical students to speak to parents and peers on vaccination, as well as strengthening health education work among the population and talking to parents about the possible consequences of lack of vaccination.