Zum Impfstatus von Medizin- und Zahnmedizinstudierenden

Abstract

Infectious diseases are still a worldwide health problem, and hence physicians are responsible for providing the population with sufficient vaccinations. Until now, however, comprehensive studies on vaccination behaviour in German medical/dental students, the future physicians/dentists, are lacking. The study analysed vaccinations of medical/dental students against tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A + B and tried to find possible influences on the vaccination behaviour. 126 medical and 99 dental students participated by working on an anonymous questionnaire related to sociodemographic data, smoking/drinking habits, drug abuse and vaccinations. The response rate was between 76 and 85%. Altogether, the investigated students were not sufficiently vaccinated. Nevertheless, they were better vaccinated than a normal reference sample. Except for a significantly better immunisation against hepatitis B in dental students, no differences between medical and dental students were found. In comparison to male students, female students presented better immunisation. On the other hand, students from the former West Germany, smoking students and students who are taking illegal drugs, were more insufficiently immunised than the other students. To optimise vaccinations in future physicians and dentists, medical/dental education should focus more on infectious diseases and knowledge about vaccinations. This would help to protect future physicians and dentists against preventable infectious diseases. Additionally, they are better skilled to prevent infectious diseases by providing the population with information and vaccinations.

BMI, physical inactivity, cigarette and alcohol consumption in female nursing students: a 5-year comparison

“…This instrument had already been used in studies with other health care professionals and medical students [15-17]. …”

Vaccination coverage among students from a German health care college

“…4,5,7 A limitation was the self-reported vaccination status without referring to the vaccination booklet.…”

“…However, vaccination coverage was unsatisfactory, corresponding to other previously published research. [4][5][6][7] This development may be because of a reduced perception of disease incidences that have a significant influence on the willingness to get vaccinated. As a consequence, from this perception of decreased disease risks resulting from low incidences, the fear of the risks associated with vaccination becomes more relevant, which could be the main reason leading to the lack of vaccination coverage.…”

“…According to previous studies, the influence of age, sex, educational level, smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, and socioeconomic status (SES) on vaccination status were investigated. 3,[5][6][7][8] For SES categorization, the Family Affluence Scale was used. 9 Multivariable logistic regression modeling was conducted to determine these variables independently associated with vaccination.…”

“…2 In several studies, low vaccination rates have been detected in nursing staff 3 and students. [4][5][6][7] The training period of health care students is characterized by working closely with patients 6 ; students are therefore at risk of acquiring and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess vaccination status, attitude toward the importance of vaccinations, and influence of determining factors on the vaccination status of a sample of health care students.…”