Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41121012›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2025

Predictors of vaccine hesitancy among medical students at the University of Belgrade.

Aleksandra Nikolić, Sandra Šipetić Grujičić, Afroditi Maria Tanula, Isidora Vujčić, Vuk Marušić, Marta Majcan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Aleksandra NikolićInstitute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26a, Belgrade, 11000, Republic of Serbia. aleksandra.m.nikolic@med.bg.ac.rs.
Sandra Šipetić GrujičićInstitute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26a, Belgrade, 11000, Republic of Serbia.
Afroditi Maria TanulaFaculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 8, Belgrade, 11000, Republic of Serbia.
Isidora VujčićInstitute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26a, Belgrade, 11000, Republic of Serbia.
Vuk MarušićInstitute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26a, Belgrade, 11000, Republic of Serbia.
Marta MajcanInstitute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26a, Belgrade, 11000, Republic of Serbia.

Funding

The Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia 451-03-137/2025-03/200110
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVaccine hesitancy has been observed not only among the general public but also among healthcare professionals and medical students, where it may negatively influence future decisions regarding immunization. This study aimed to assess vaccine attitudes and identify predictors of vaccine hesitancy among medical students.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 257 medical students from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Belgrade. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and linear regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictors of vaccine hesitancy.

resultsOverall, most medical students demonstrated positive attitudes toward vaccination, although some concerns and skepticism were also present. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified several significant predictors of anti-vaccine attitudes. A stronger role of religion in students' lives (b = 0.404, p = 0.004) and enrollment in English-taught programs (b = 0.618, p < 0.001) were associated with higher VAX scores, indicating greater vaccine hesitancy. In contrast, being in higher years of study (b = -0.467, p = 0.001) and being a voluntary blood donor (b = -0.317, p = 0.017) were associated with lower VAX scores, reflecting more positive attitudes toward vaccination.

conclusionAlthough medical students generally hold positive attitudes toward vaccination, persistent concerns and misconceptions remain. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational strategies during medical training to strengthen vaccine confidence. Equipping future healthcare professionals with accurate knowledge and communication skills is essential for fostering public trust and supporting informed decision-making in a complex health landscape.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeStudents, MedicalVaccinationVaccination HesitancyAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleSerbiaSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultHealth beliefsMedical studentsPredictorsPublic healthVaccine hesitancy

Identifiers

PMID41121012
PMCPMC12542077

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.