Vaccination status for students at the Federal University of São João Del Rey, 2009

Abstract

This study aimed to describe vaccination status and to investigate the factors associated with immunization schedule of Nursing, Pharmacy and Medicine first period students at the Federal University of São João Del Rey.The study population consisted of 187 students. Data were collected through a questionnaire containing the following variables: sex, age, course year, presentation of immunization card, and being up-to-date with vaccination schedule. Data entry performed using EpiData 3.1 and EpiInfo 6.04. The study revealed a 92% of immunization coverage rate against measles, followed by 49% against tetanus, and 52% against diphtheria toxoid and hepatitis B. The vaccine against yellow fever presented the smallest coverage rate with 37%. Besides that, 155 students presented a proof of vaccination. The variables gender, age and course year were not associated with an up-to-date vaccination record. The results demonstrated that the students, being not properly immunized, were exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases. Higher educational institutions should make a greater effort to promote suitable vaccination coverage to their undergraduate students.