Abstract
Background: Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing infectious diseases. However, vaccine hesitancy remains a growing global concern, even among healthcare professionals. Nursing students play a vital role in future vaccination advocacy and patient education, making it important to assess their beliefs and attitudes toward vaccination.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 175 undergraduate nursing students at Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW), Nawabshah. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, general beliefs, attitudes, and opposite beliefs regarding vaccination. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results: A total of 175 nursing students participated in the study, with a mean age of 21.46 ± 1.63 years. The majority were Sindhi (77.7%), Muslim (89.7%), middle class (97.7%), and hostel residents (92%). Most participants demonstrated positive beliefs toward vaccination, with 73.8% agreeing that vaccines are safe and 78.8% expressing interest in learning more about vaccination. Additionally, 65.1% reported willingness to recommend adherence to the vaccination schedule, and 76.6% stated they would educate patients about vaccine effectiveness and side effects. However, notable hesitancy was observed, as 54.8% expressed doubts about vaccine effectiveness and 68.6% believed vaccination is unnecessary when in good health. According to the ACVECS scale, 69.1% of students showed a neutral attitude, 16.6% positive, and 14.3% negative, indicating overall moderate but uncertain vaccine confidence.
Conclusion: Although nursing students demonstrated generally positive professional attitudes toward vaccination, significant hesitancy and neutral beliefs were observed. These findings highlight gaps in knowledge and confidence, emphasizing the need for strengthened vaccination education within the nursing curriculum to promote informed attitudes and effective vaccine advocacy.