RESUMEN
Background: Vaccination is one of the most successful and cost-effective interventions for public health. Studies have shown that health professionals who have good knowledge and positive attitudes towards vaccination are more likely to provide effective vaccination protection to people, including themselves. Therefore, health science students must acquire evidence-based knowledge during their education to meet the challenges of healthcare. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and feedback of health science students who participated in the Educating Vaccination Competence (EDUVAC) Intensive Course. Methods: A five-day Intensive Course was implemented for health science students, which included a pre-assignment. The EDUVAC Intensive Course used different teaching methods (lectures, workshops, interactive games, discussions), group work, study visits, and cultural programs to encourage students' motivation. For the purpose of the study, students filled out an online questionnaire after giving informed consent. Results: Sample consisted of 31 health science students from five European Higher Institutions. They had very good knowledge on most knowledge questions. In the post measurement it was significantly greater and equal to 81%, p<0.001. Almost all students (93.5%) totally agreed that "It is important for adults to receive all recommended vaccines according to national guidelines". The statement "I have had an active attitude and participation in the Intensive Course" received 80.6% total agreement. Over 90.3% rated the Intensive Course as "excellent" or "above average". Conclusions: After completing the EDUVAC Intensive Course, students felt confident in their vaccination knowledge and skills, which benefited their professional development.
RESUMEN
The EDUVAC project aims to develop and implement a web-based course on educating vaccination competence among health sciences students. In the current study students' feedback and evaluation is assessed which guided the partners' efforts to improve the final course content and learning material that will be available for open access. After completing the web-based course, most of the students (N=103, 75.1%) perceived their vaccination knowledge was up to date and their overall participating experience was "above average or excellent (N=119, 86.9%). While, almost all of the students (N=127, 92.7%) found that the web-based course has benefitted them and their future career. Our findings support that the web-based courses can provide satisfactory learning experience to University students and offer flexibility when needed especially in times that remote education is the only option.
