“I think meningitis is a virus, while septicaemia might be caused by bacteria.” A study of vaccination views, disease awareness and MenACWY and MMR uptake among freshers at a London university

Sophie Jones; Mario Cortina Borja; Helen Bedford

doi:10.1515/ijamh-2019-0254

Article

“I think meningitis is a virus, while septicaemia might be caused by bacteria.” A study of vaccination views, disease awareness and MenACWY and MMR uptake among freshers at a London university

Sophie Jones , Mario Cortina Borja and Helen Bedford

Published/Copyright: June 10, 2020

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From the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health Volume 34 Issue 2

Abstract

Background

University students are at particular risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Group W, an aggressive strain, is increasing in prevalence and the high case-fatality rate is concerning. Adolescents have been offered the MenACWY vaccine since 2015. National uptake has been low, leaving students vulnerable to infection.

Objectives

To investigate MenACWY uptake, knowledge of IMD and attitudes towards vaccination among UCL first-year students.

Methods

A mixed methods approach was used, involving a questionnaire (n=144) and follow-up interviews (n=13). Students were asked for demographic details and questions including vaccination status, awareness of the vaccine, other vaccination history and knowledge of IMD, which was assessed through true/false/unsure statements. Interviews explored these issues in more detail as well as their suggestions for making vaccination more accessible for students.

Results

MenACWY uptake was 84%, with more socioeconomically disadvantaged students being less likely to be vaccinated (aOR=0.117, p=0.006). Most students thought vaccines were safe and important. Students with above average knowledge were more likely to be vaccinated (OR=3.057, p=0.019). Vaccination views were positive and knowledge level was moderate to high. Reasons for non-vaccination included illness, laziness, forgetfulness and difficulty with GP access. Of concern, many students believed that the vaccine prevents any cause of meningitis.

Conclusion

High vaccine uptake is essential to protect students. Uptake at University College London is higher than at other universities in previous studies. This research highlights several areas requiring further study and has implications for university vaccination policy.

Keywords: invasive meningococcal disease; MenACWY; meningitis; university; vaccination

Corresponding author: Sophie Jones, University College London, London, UK, E-mail: s.jones.16@ucl.ac.uk

Funding statement: NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre

Acknowledgments

Thank you to all the students who took part, and to those at the university who distributed the questionnaire. All research at Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health is made possible by the NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

Research funding: This study was unfunded and conducted by SJ in partial fulfillment of an intercalated BSc in Paediatrics and Child Health at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London.
Author contributions: HB: conceived the study and contributed to all stages of the study. SJ: designed the survey questionnaire and topic guide, recruited participants, collected survey data and conducted interviews, analysed and interpreted the data and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. MCB: supported the quantitative data analysis. All authors contributed to writing the manuscript and have approved the final article. All authors attest they meet the ICMJE criteria for authorship.
Competing interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Received: 2019-12-06

Accepted: 2020-02-13

Published Online: 2020-06-10

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2019-0254

Keywords for this article

invasive meningococcal disease; MenACWY; meningitis; university; vaccination