Vaccination Literacy and Determinants of Vaccine Confidence Among University Students: Analyzing Attitudinal Barriers

Halima Abdigalimova 1, Zhanerke Yerlanovna Bolatova 1 * , Zhaniya Dauletkaliyeva 1, Gaukhar Kayupova 1, Karina Nukeshtayeva 1, Aliya Takuadina 2, Nurbek Yerdessov 1, Olzhas Zhamantayev 1, Dinara Aubakirova 1
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1 School of Public Health, Karaganda Medical University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
2 Department of Computer Science and Biostatistics, Karaganda Medical University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
* Corresponding Author
J CLIN MED KAZ, In press. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/15791
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Author Contributions: Conceptualization, Zh. B. and H. A.; methodology, K. N., Zh. B., Zh. D.; validation, H. A., G. K., formal analysis, Zh. B., G. K., O. Zh; investigation, H. A., K. N., Zh. B., Zh. D., G. K., A. T., N. Ye., O. Zh.; resources, N. Ye.; data curation, Zh. D.; writing – original draft preparation, Zh. B., K. N..; writing – review and editing, N. Ye., A. T.; visualization, N. Ye., D. A.; supervision, A.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Vaccination literacy plays a critical role in shaping vaccine attitudes and acceptance, especially among university students who are exposed to diverse sources of information. This study aims to assess the level of vaccination literacy among students in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and examine its determinants, including gender, academic field, and residence.
Methods: Using the HLS19-VAC questionnaire, we surveyed 1,327 students across different academic fields and analyzed vaccination literacy levels. A chi-square test assessed the association between literacy and demographic variables. Vaccination literacy was categorized as inadequate, problematic, adequate, or excellent.
Results: The majority of students demonstrated “adequate” or “excellent” vaccination literacy, with medical, female, and urban students exhibiting higher literacy levels. However, significant misconceptions regarding vaccine safety and side effects persisted, even among students with higher literacy. A positive association was observed between vaccination literacy and vaccine uptake, reinforcing the influence of informed literacy on health behavior.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted educational efforts to address misconceptions and reduce literacy gaps among different demographic groups. Public health campaigns that counter vaccine myths and promote trust are essential for improving vaccine acceptance and supporting health outcomes within the university student population.
Keywords: Vaccination literacy, vaccine acceptance, university students, public health

CITATION

Abdigalimova H, Bolatova ZY, Dauletkaliyeva Z, Kayupova G, Nukeshtayeva K, Takuadina A, et al. Vaccination Literacy and Determinants of Vaccine Confidence Among University Students: Analyzing Attitudinal Barriers. J Clin Med Kaz. 2024. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/15791

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