Cent Eur J Public Health 2021, 29(3):177-182 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a6670

Influenza and influenza vaccination from the perspective of Czech pre-service teachers: knowledge and attitudes

Lenka Pavlasová, Karel Vojíř
Department of Biology and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Education, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Objectives: Influenza is a widespread respiratory disease with a potentially risky course. Vaccination is considered the most effective method of prevention. However, only a small portion of the population is vaccinated. Teachers work in a high-risk environment and they have a significant impact on the population through student education. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out the knowledge and attitudes of pre-service teachers about influenza and vaccination.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to find out what knowledge, attitudes and behaviour pre-service teachers (N = 373) show in relation to influenza and influenza vaccination. It was statistically tested whether there were differences between students with respect to their field of study.

Results: The majority of pre-service teachers have a good knowledge of influenza symptoms, however, they often mistaken it for other respiratory diseases. The field of study plays only a partial role in the knowledge. The respondents perceive influenza as an easily spread disease, but they have negative attitudes towards vaccination, and most pre-service teachers think that its disadvantages outweigh the advantages. This was stated primarily by pre-services science teachers. These attitudes are also reflected in the low vaccination rate of the sample (6%).

Conclusions: Relatively good knowledge of teachers is not reflected in their attitudes and behaviour. Negative attitudes towards vaccination are most held by pre-service teachers, whose field primarily includes teaching this topic. It can have a significant effect on students' attitudes not only toward influenza vaccines but also to other vaccinations.

Keywords: influenza, human, vaccination, teacher training

Received: December 14, 2020; Revised: August 2, 2021; Accepted: August 2, 2021; Published: September 30, 2021  Show citation

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Pavlasová L, Vojíř K. Influenza and influenza vaccination from the perspective of Czech pre-service teachers: knowledge and attitudes. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2021;29(3):177-182. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a6670. PubMed PMID: 34623115.
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