Exploring Influenza Vaccine Knowledge, Hesitancy, and Influential Factors among Medical Students at Diyala University, Iraq

Background: Influenza continues to be a significant factor contributing to disease and mortality. Despite the availability of influenza vaccines, the persistently high levels of vaccine hesitancy remain a cause for concern.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate influenza vaccine hesitancy and assess knowledge about influenza vaccination among medical students.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 1, 2023 and September 15, 2023, involving both preclinical and clinical medical students at Diyala University’s College of Medicine in Iraq. Data collection utilized an online, self-administered questionnaire, and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Statistical significance was determined at a threshold of P < 0.05.

Results: The study included a total of 158 participants, consisting of 83 premedical students (52.5%) and 75 clinical students (47.5%). The mean age of the participants was 21.5 years (±7.3). The majority of respondents were female (61.4%), nonsmokers (89.2%), had received the COVID-19 vaccine (91.8%), and had not received the influenza vaccine (86.7%). Alarmingly, more than half of the participants (53.2%) expressed hesitancy toward receiving the influenza vaccine. In addition, the study revealed that clinical students had a better understanding of influenza vaccine-related information. The multiple logistic regression analysis identified several predictor variables associated with vaccine hesitancy, including female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 4.501, P < 0.001, confidence interval [CI]: 2.541–5.386), preclinical student status (OR: 3.565, P < 0.001, CI: 2.226–4.040), nonsmoking status (OR: 2.721, P = 0.010, CI: 1.605–3.601), and lack of prior influenza vaccination (OR: 2.107, P = 0.003, CI: 1.903–3.466). These variables collectively explained 49.7% of the variance in vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy was notably higher among preclinical medical students. Identifying the reasons for vaccine acceptance and refusal can inform strategies to enhance vaccination uptake among healthcare providers and the general population.