Perceptions of Nursing Students' Regarding Coronavirus Vaccination Acceptance: A Mixed Methods Study

ABSTRACT

Background: The first COVID-19 vaccine was authorized in the United States in December 2020. It is recognized that vaccination is a preventive and effective measure for limiting the coronavirus pandemic. Nursing students' perspectives on vaccine acceptance may be critical for COVID-19 pandemic prevention as future professionals. The study has focused on perceptions of nursing students regarding coronavirus vaccine acceptance.Design: This study was conducted using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design with two phases. Methods: A convenience sample method was applied in phase one, and 255 nursing school students between February 14 and February 24, 2022, from six universities in Iraq participated. The findings were used in phase two to refine in-depth interview questions that would allow for a deeper investigation of student perceptions. Fifteen participants were questioned one-on-one using personal interviews. Using an inductive method of theme analysis, the dataset was coded, classified, and thematizedResults: Out of 255 students, the results of the quantitative phase revealed that 123 (48.2%), 120 (47.1%), and 12 (4.7%) of them had, respectively, unsound, somewhat sound, and sound perceptions of coronavirus vaccines. Based on the students' perceptions, the main themes from the qualitative phase emerged and include (persuasion, preservation, accountability, efficacy doubts, and apprehension). Conclusions: Most student nurses have unsound perceptions about COVID-19 vaccinations. Findings showed that nursing students need to take vaccination issues into account and educate others about vaccine production. The development of suitable solutions and interdisciplinary educational programs in the post-pandemic phase may depend on understanding perceptions and encouraging health engagement and awareness. © 2022, Association Res Militaris. All rights reserved.