The intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine among the students of health science in Vietnam

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study determines factors related to the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 for health science students in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), using both the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model. A cross-sectional survey was considered in April 2021, using a self-administered questionnaire to all health sciences students of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City (UMP), Vietnam. The multiple regression was performed to specify the predictable factors of willingness to get a future COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 854 students completed the survey, whose vaccination acceptance was 77.1%. Predictors of intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccination included year of education, knowledge, and the HBM and TPB variables including the perceived benefits, cues to action, perceived behavioral control, and positive attitudes toward the vaccine (all p < .05). The main reasons for hesitancy included being afraid of the side effects (73.0%), vaccine safety (65.3%), and the process of new vaccine development (53.6%). The study examined students’ intention toward COVID-19 vaccine and related factors to notify university administrators and policymakers. The findings showed the acceptability of vaccines had differences within the education year of students, besides, knowledge, perception of benefits, cues to action, behavioral control, and attitudes toward the vaccine were positive predictive factors. These may be useful for developing health education messages to promoting vaccination acceptability for students who had hesitancy of a new vaccine and in broader groups.