Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Egyptian Medical Students Towards Healthcare Workers’ Recommended Vaccines: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Abstract Background Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is pivotal to decrease the incidence of contagious infections in hospital settings. Herein, we assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding HCWs’ recommended vaccines among medical students and interns in Egypt. Methods A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire among Egyptian medical students and interns. We invited 1332 participants to our survey using a systematic random sampling that included participants across nine medical schools in Egypt during the 2021–2022 academic year. Result Out of 1332 participants, 1141 completed our questionnaire with a response rate of 85.7%. Overall, 43% of our participants knew 2–3 HCWs recommended vaccines. Furthermore, 36.7% had received a booster dose of at least one of the HCWs’ recommended vaccines in the last 10 years with only 6.1% having received all recommended vaccines. Hepatitis B vaccine was the most widely known (71%) and received (66.7%). Interns were more likely to know, receive, and recommend HCWs’ recommended vaccines. The majority (> 90%) agreed that vaccination is beneficial and safe, with a median score of eight (interquartile range [IQR]: 2) out of ten concerning vaccine efficacy and eight (IQR: 1) for safety. However, the median score for hesitancy was five (IQR: 5). The most common influential and limiting factors for taking vaccines were scientific facts (60.1%) and fear of vaccine side effects (44.9%), respectively. Conclusion Although medical students in Egypt have good knowledge and attitudes toward vaccinations, there is a gap in their practices. Interventions are needed to improve the uptake of vaccinations among medical students in Egypt.