Mandatory Childhood Vaccination in Croatia: Positive Attitudes and Areas of Uncertainty Among Nursing Students

¹University Hospital Centre Osijek, Josip Huttler Street 4, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia
²Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Car Hadrijan Street 10e, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County

³Department of Nursing and Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Crkvena Street 21, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood vaccination is one of the most effective public health measures for preventing and controlling infectious diseases, and nurses play an important role in its implementation and promotion. The study aimed to examine nursing students’ attitudes toward mandatory childhood vaccination according to the vaccination schedule of the Republic of Croatia and to determine whether these attitudes differed with regard to sociodemographic variables.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 119 undergraduate and graduate nursing students at a higher education institution in the Republic of Croatia. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire that assessed attitudes using a Likert scale. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and JASP.

Results: Statistically significant differences in attitudes were found according to age (P < 0.001) and employment in the nursing profession (P = 0.0014). Participants not employed in nursing had higher attitude scores than those employed in nursing. No statistically significant differences were found according to year of study (P = 0.547). 

Conclusion: The findings indicate the need for additional education and guidance for nursing students during their studies to strengthen positive attitudes toward vaccination. This may enhance their future role in public health interventions and community health protection.