COVID-19 Vaccination Knowledge, Perception, and Reason for Adherence and nonadherence Among Nursing Students in Egypt

Introduction: Vaccines are considered preventive measures to reduce coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread around
the world. There are many factors for adherence and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination.
Objectives: The study aimed to investigate nursing students’ knowledge, perception, and factors that influence their adherence
to COVID-19 vaccines.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among nursing students at the Faculty of Nursing,
Mansoura University, Egypt, during the period between September 1 and November 30, 2021.
Results: Of the total of 500 participants, 76% took a COVID-19 vaccination. About 89% of participants rated the correct
answer related to COVID-19 vaccination. Obligatory to enter the faculty, protect family and friends, and protect myself
were the most reasons of adherence (80.3, 73.7, and 70.8%, respectively) while fear of adverse events and lack of information
about vaccine were the most reasons of nonadherence (87.5 and 79.2%, respectively) to COVID-19 vaccination. The majority
of participants (62%) had expressed positive perception toward COVID-19 vaccination. Education level, training program
about COVID-19, previous infection with COVID-19, perception toward COVID-19 vaccination, and knowledge toward
COVID-19 vaccination were significantly (p = .035, p = .027, p = .009, p = .008 and p = .033, respectively) associated
with students’ adherence to take COVID-19 vaccines.
Conclusion: Accurate knowledge and perception about COVID-19 vaccines are the stronger predictors of vaccine hesitance
or acceptance among nursing students in Egypt. Campaigns to increase knowledge and perception of COVID-19 and its vaccines
among nursing students are needed to improve vaccine acceptance and reduce vaccine hesitance.