Program

Physician Assistant M.S.

Year Approved

2016

First Advisor

Boeve, Wallace

Abstract

This investigation studied the level of understanding of the nature of immunizations and vaccine preventable diseases in undergraduate students at Bethel University. Immunization literature demonstrates a significant lack of understanding in the general population in relation to the nature of vaccine preventable diseases and the immunizations used to counter them. Furthermore, the literature concludes that such a grossly inadequate understanding of the nature of vaccine preventable diseases may precipitate dire epidemiological consequences. This investigation was a pre-experimental design and utilized a short questionnaire administered one time to a sample population of 171 subjects over 18 years of age who were enrolled in an undergraduate college degree program at Bethel University. Results of this study indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in how much science majors know about vaccines compared to non-science majors. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the opinions of these two populations on vaccinating themselves and their children. Science majors felt it was much more important to vaccinate themselves and their children than did non-science majors. The investigators of this study hope that the elicited data will be useful in identifying potential areas of immunization education among undergraduates in the Twin Cities.

Degree Name

Masters of Science in Physician Assistant

Document Type

Masterʼs thesis

Included in

Primary Care Commons

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