COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of STEM vs. non-STEM college students in Central Appalachia in 2021, a student-led project

J Am Coll Health. 2025 Apr;73(4):1310-1314. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2418519. Epub 2024 Nov 20.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has provided the general public with an understanding of scientific processes and health systems surrounding vaccination in real-time. This report assesses responses of college students in a regional university to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) survey in the spring of 2021. Methods: Participants were categorized based on study major: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), non-STEM, or health science disciplines. Chi-square tests were used to compare vaccination beliefs between groups. Results: 632 respondents were included in the final analysis. STEM students were the least likely to agree that vaccinated individuals should not need masks (21%) compared to non-STEM (42%) and health science majors (37%). 51%, 45%, and 35% of STEM, non-STEM, and health science students were vaccinated respectively. No statistically significant differences were noted between groups. Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy was similar in all students. Area of study did not impact vaccine behaviors.

Keywords: COVID-19; College students; attitudes; behaviors; knowledge; vaccines.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Appalachian Region / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Students* / psychology
  • Students* / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Universities
  • Vaccination Hesitancy / psychology
  • Vaccination Hesitancy / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines