The Effectiveness of The Education Given to Nursing Students on Childhood Vaccine Applications: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of education on childhood vaccination practices on the knowledge levels of nursing students. In this retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study, the research population was comprised of 3rd grade nursing students (N=168) who attended to the Faculty of Health Sciences of a Turkish state university and who were taking the course of "Public Health Nursing". Relevant data was gathered through the usage of "Childhood Vaccine Applications Questionnaires". The study was completed after the examination of 158 forms that were filled completely/without errors. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis and Chi-square test were used in the analysis of the collected data. In the study, the lowest correct answer rate among the general judgments of the students regarding vaccination before the education was "The last vaccine added to the vaccination calendar in Turkey is the varicella vaccine" (27.8%). Among the judgments regarding childhood vaccination, the lowest correct answer rate was the judgment that "There is no need of revaccination of children whose other vaccinations have not been completed (27.2%)". Among the judgments regarding the situations that are not considered as contraindications for vaccination; the lowest correct response rate was the judgment of "Vaccination can be done in case of non-specific allergy history (38.6%). The difference in students' knowledge levels before and after the relevant training was found as statistically significant (p<0.01). It is concluded that nursing students have insufficient knowledge about childhood vaccines. The educational intervention has been effective in terms of increasing the level of knowledge.