TY - JOUR
T1 - The Association between Levels of Trust in the Healthcare System and Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy among College Students in Israel
AU - Dopelt, Keren
AU - Abudin, Anuar
AU - Yukther, Sophie
AU - Shmukler, Tatyana
AU - Davidovitch, Nadav
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/11/1
Y1 - 2023/11/1
N2 - Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Vaccination proves an effective approach to preventing influenza and minimizing the risk of experiencing associated complications. However, the influenza vaccine coverage rate among Israeli college students is low due to a sense of complacency, lack of knowledge, and vaccine hesitancy. The current study examined the relationship between the level of trust in the healthcare system and influenza vaccine hesitancy among college students in Israel. This cross-sectional study was conducted via an online questionnaire in April–May 2023. In total, 610 students were surveyed, of whom 57% had been vaccinated against influenza in the past; however, only 12% were vaccinated this year. Negative, significant, and moderate relationships were found between the level of trust in the healthcare system and influenza vaccine hesitancy. Students who had been vaccinated in the past had a higher level of trust in the healthcare system and a lower level of vaccination hesitancy. The linear regression model revealed that the variables of being a woman, not Jewish, vaccinated, and trusting the Ministry of Health, family doctor, and health professionals were associated with a decrease in vaccine hesitancy. These findings are in line with previous research in the field. Based on the present results, it may be advisable to develop intervention programs aimed at increasing confidence in the healthcare system and vaccinations by providing knowledge and addressing students’ concerns regarding vaccination.
AB - Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Vaccination proves an effective approach to preventing influenza and minimizing the risk of experiencing associated complications. However, the influenza vaccine coverage rate among Israeli college students is low due to a sense of complacency, lack of knowledge, and vaccine hesitancy. The current study examined the relationship between the level of trust in the healthcare system and influenza vaccine hesitancy among college students in Israel. This cross-sectional study was conducted via an online questionnaire in April–May 2023. In total, 610 students were surveyed, of whom 57% had been vaccinated against influenza in the past; however, only 12% were vaccinated this year. Negative, significant, and moderate relationships were found between the level of trust in the healthcare system and influenza vaccine hesitancy. Students who had been vaccinated in the past had a higher level of trust in the healthcare system and a lower level of vaccination hesitancy. The linear regression model revealed that the variables of being a woman, not Jewish, vaccinated, and trusting the Ministry of Health, family doctor, and health professionals were associated with a decrease in vaccine hesitancy. These findings are in line with previous research in the field. Based on the present results, it may be advisable to develop intervention programs aimed at increasing confidence in the healthcare system and vaccinations by providing knowledge and addressing students’ concerns regarding vaccination.
KW - Israel
KW - influenza
KW - students
KW - trust in the healthcare system
KW - vaccine hesitancy
KW - vaccines
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178148995&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/vaccines11111728
DO - 10.3390/vaccines11111728
M3 - Article
C2 - 38006060
AN - SCOPUS:85178148995
SN - 2076-393X
VL - 11
JO - Vaccines
JF - Vaccines
IS - 11
M1 - 1728
ER -