Beliefs and adherence to vaccines in students of Medicine and Engineering of the City of Córdoba

Abstract

Vaccines are converted preparations to generate immunity against different infectious and contagious diseases, stimulating the immune system and preventing disease. Throughout history, the need for its implementation has been reinforced, however, in recent years, there are movements that call into question its effectiveness, generating a “anti-vaccine movement”, spreading fear towards them. This reluctance has caused the regrowth of controlled diseases, such as measles and threatens to reverse the achievements.

The purpose of this study was to identify beliefs about effectiveness and general knowledge of vaccines and the level of adherence to them in students of Medicine and Engineering in the City of Córdoba in June 2019.   A descriptive observational study was conducted randomly by dissemination in social network Instagram, of a survey designed and validated  for this purpose, during June 2019, where 643 students from 1st to 6th year of UNC Medicine and different careers voluntarily participated of Engineering of the UTN. It consists of limited questions with short and concrete answers: "They cure / prevent / make / do nothing." Respect the adherence of vaccination: if the participant has placed the vaccines that correspond to him by calendar, select the answer in: “yes / no”.   The results show that 96% of Medical students believe that vaccines prevent diseases, while Engineering students show 87% regarding the same item. Regarding adherence: 97% have vaccines in place according to the official calendar.   This study shows that beliefs about vaccines affectiveness and action are higher in Medical students, perhaps favored by academic information. Adherence is similar in the participating populations.