KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF 4th AND 6th GRADE MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT ADULT TETANUS AND DIPHTERIA VACCINES

Objective: Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) can be prevented between 95-99% if vaccination is done as recommended. Medical school students should know about this high effective vaccine. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge level of 4th and 6th grade medical students about the Td. vaccine. Material and Method: This cross sectional, defining study was held in the educational ear of 20061 2007. A self answered questionnaire was filled by 4th and 6th grade students of Istanbul Medical Faculty. Fourth and 6th classes had a total of 350 students each. Among the 4th class students 69.4% and among the 6th class students 73.7% were reached, with a total of 501 students. Knowledge level was calculated by giving I point for each correct answer Results: Among the 501 students, 48.5% (n:243) were 4th class and 51.5% (n:258) were 6th class students. Out of 41 points total, the mean score of 4th and 6th classes was 26.45 +/- 5.81 and 28.77 +/- 6.53 respectively. Conclusion: Knowledge level about tetanus and diphtheria vaccine among 4th and 6th class medical students was intermediate. Therefore, more efforts on the education to increase students' knowledge about tetanus and diphtheria vaccines must be held.