%0 Journal Article
%T Study of Factors Associated with the Practice of Vaccination against COVID-19 among Medical Science Students in Dakar (Senegal)
%A Chafika Ibrahim Zanguina
%A Theresa Stella Esperance Fouckou Moko
%A Jean Augustin Diegane Tine
%J Open Journal of Epidemiology
%P 199-220
%@ 2165-7467
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojepi.2024.142014
%X <strong>Introduction:</strong> Almost a year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senegal embarked on a vaccination campaign to protect its population. The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing the COVID-19 vaccination practices within a health training university in Dakar. <strong>Methodology:</strong> This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out from October 21 2021 to February 21 2022 among students at the Elhadj Ibrahima Niass private University in Dakar, Senegal. A 28-question online questionnaire was sent to all students enrolled at the university during this period. <strong>Results:</strong> Of the 576 students who responded, the average age was 22.60 years, with females predominating (57.81%). Medical students accounted for 66.14% of participants, pharmacy 22.40% and dental surgery 11.46%. Of these, 42.01% were bachelor¡¯s students, 29.51% master¡¯s students and 28.47% doctoral students. Vaccination coverage was 50.35%. Students who considered COVID-19 to be very dangerous were more likely to be vaccinated (OR = 5.05 [2.24-11.9]). Those with poor knowledge of vaccines were less likely to be vaccinated (OR = 0.07 [0.03-0.18]), as were those with poor knowledge of contraindications to vaccination (OR = 0.49 [0.28-0.86]). No association was found between vaccination status and socio-demographic or educational characteristics. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> In view of the importance of knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination, our results suggest that it is important to involve health students in the Ministry of Health¡¯s awareness-raising strategies, because their support is necessary for better public awareness.
%K COVID-19
%K Vaccination
%K Health Students
%K Senegal
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=131668