Knowledge, Attitude and the Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccine Among Undergraduate Students of Air University Islamabad

Nadia Iqbal; Muhammad Farhan Chattha; Zoila Shah

doi:10.61919/z4zgcx92

Authors

Nadia Iqbal Medical Officer, PAF Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan Author
Muhammad Farhan Chattha Medical Officer, PAF Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan Author
Zoila Shah Medical Officer, PAF Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/z4zgcx92

Keywords:

COVID-19; vaccine acceptance; vaccine attitude; vaccine knowledge; undergraduate students; Pakistan; university students.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccination remains an important public health measure for reducing severe disease and supporting community protection; however, vaccine uptake is influenced by knowledge, safety perceptions, trust, misinformation, affordability, and accessibility. University students are a relevant group for vaccine-confidence research because they are highly exposed to digital information and may influence family and peer health decisions. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among undergraduate students of Air University Islamabad. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 undergraduate students from different departments of Air University Islamabad, including Fazaia Medical College. Data were collected using an online structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19 information exposure, vaccine-related knowledge, attitudes, and acceptance factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS and summarized as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: The mean age of participants was 21.04 ± 1.70 years; 161 students (53.3%) were female and 141 (46.7%) were male. Social media was the leading source of COVID-19 information (60.3%). The mean knowledge score was 5.11 ± 1.64, with 55.0% classified as having good knowledge. Most participants believed that COVID-19 vaccines were effective in preventing infection (90.4%) and that vaccination was necessary for Pakistan’s population (87.4%). Overall, 79.8% had a positive attitude, 88.1% would encourage family and friends to be vaccinated, and 91.7% would accept vaccination if recommended by doctors. Free provision (96.0%), convenience (85.1%), and price (64.6%) were important decision factors. Conclusion: Undergraduate students demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and high conditional acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination, especially under doctor recommendation. Physician-led education, transparent safety communication, social media-based myth correction, and free, convenient vaccination services may strengthen vaccine confidence among university students

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