Abstract
Aim
Due to the introduction of the compulsory vaccination law in Italy, and the following intense debate, the aim of this study was to assess the opinion of Italian Public Health residents and their knowledge on this issue.
Subjects and methods
Data were collected using a previously developed and validated online questionnaire that was sent by email to Public Health Residents attending the 35 Post-Graduate Schools of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine in Italy. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was performed for data analysis, and a 0.05 level of significance was chosen. Results are expressed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results
Out of 554 medical doctors, 359 filled in the questionnaire, of which 56.8% were female. Those who had a positive opinion about the Law also strongly agreed/agreed with the following statements: caregivers who do not comply with the mandatory vaccination law should be fined; the Law is the only way to prevent, contain and reduce public health risks; documentation of legally mandated vaccines should be required for children to attend preschools; mandatory vaccinations are necessary and the Decree Law should not be modified; the Law emphasises the importance of all the vaccinations provided by the National Immunisation Plan.
Conclusion
Italian Public Health residents agree with compulsory vaccination, considering it a useful and effective tool aimed at increasing the vaccination coverage rate.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the members of the Vaccine Hesitancy working group who collaborated on this project: Paola Cella (University of Parma), Ilaria Barberis (University of Genova), Bruno Cosenza (University of Messina), Francesco Mazzù (University of Messina), Marina Di Vincenzo (University Politecnica delle Marche), Gabriele Giorgianni (University of Catania), Andrea Barbara (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome), Francesca di Gaspare (University of Roma Tor Vergata) and Gianluca Voglino (University of Turin) for data collection.
Lastly, we also thank Fortunato D’Ancona (National Institute of Health, Rome) who generously gave his time to thoroughly and critically review the manuscript and Valeria Parisi (University of Milan) for assistance with the figures.
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Because the questionnaire was anonymous, the enrolment was on a voluntary basis and informed consent was obtained; no ethical approval was required, according to literature (Gianfredi et al. 2017b; Selby et al. 2016).
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Gentile, L., Cuda, A., Dallagiacoma, G. et al. Opinion, knowledge and attitude of public health residents towards the new mandatory vaccination law in Italy. J Public Health (Berl.) 29, 659–669 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01171-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01171-4