KNOWLEDGE, PREPAREDNESS, AND BARRIERS TOWARD RECEIVING INFLUENZA VACCINE AMONG STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF KUFA

Jihad Jawad Kadhim

doi:10.61796/jmgcb.v2i12.1458

Authors

Jihad Jawad Kadhim
jihadj.alsudani@uokufa.edu.iq
University of Kufa, Iraq

Vol. 2 No. 12 (2025): Journal of Medical Genetics and Clinical Biology

Articles

September 23, 2025

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Objective: To assess knowledge, perceived barriers, and willingness toward influenza vaccination among undergraduate students at the University of Kufa, Iraq, to inform targeted health promotion strategies. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from February to March 2025 with 94 convenience-sampled undergraduate students from five colleges at the University of Kufa. Data were collected using a validated 32-item questionnaire assessing demographics, influenza vaccine knowledge, barriers, and willingness. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and correlation tests using SPSS. Results: Participants demonstrated moderate knowledge levels: 60.64% had fair knowledge and 39.36% good knowledge regarding influenza vaccination. Most (64.89%) perceived moderate barriers, including misperceptions about vaccine safety, fear of side effects, and accessibility challenges. Willingness to vaccinate was moderate in 58.51% but poor in 38.30% of students. Correlation analysis showed no significant relationships between knowledge, barriers, and willingness, indicating complex factors influencing vaccine acceptance beyond knowledge alone. Novelty: The findings reveal moderate awareness and willingness toward influenza vaccination, tempered by perceived barriers among university students. Vaccine acceptance appears driven by a multifaceted interplay of cognitive, emotional, and structural factors. Tailored, multifactorial interventions combining education, barrier reduction, and improved accessibility are essential to increase vaccine uptake in this population.

Kadhim, J. J. (2025). KNOWLEDGE, PREPAREDNESS, AND BARRIERS TOWARD RECEIVING INFLUENZA VACCINE AMONG STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF KUFA. Journal of Medical Genetics and Clinical Biology, 2(12), 528–546. https://doi.org/10.61796/jmgcb.v2i12.1458

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