Factors affecting the decision of nursing students in Taiwan to be vaccinated against hepatitis B infection

J Adv Nurs. 1997 Apr;25(4):709-18. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.1997025709.x.

Abstract

Compliance with Hepatitis B vaccination for nurses has been reported to be low in Taiwan. Therefore, a study of nursing students' view was conducted in Taiwan to discover possible reasons. As complex decision-making was involved in taking the vaccine, a four-level utility decision model underpinned by the Multi-Attribute Utility theory was proposed to ascertain the relative contribution of the specific components of attitude and beliefs to the final decision and experience of being vaccinated against Hepatitis B infection. Results indicated that the 'personal value of Hepatitis B vaccination', in particular for 'concern about the efficacy of the Hepatitis B vaccine', 'fear of pain from repeated injections', 'time' and 'money', were the main determinants in relation to the uptake of the Hepatitis B vaccination. Such results were consistent with earlier findings based on the Health Belief Model. It appears that the greater the experience gained in nursing care the lower the rate of vaccination; the important items under the concept of 'Personal value of Hepatitis B vaccination' varied by 'experience in nursing care'. The overall predictive validity was 67%, based on the utility decision model. When stratified by 'experience in nursing care', the prediction improved, ranging from 89% to 100%. Based on these findings, a specific intervention programme should be provided to change behaviour and improve the vaccination rate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Decision Making
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Immunization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control*
  • Models, Psychological
  • Motivation
  • Students, Nursing / psychology*
  • Taiwan