Publications
| Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours Towards Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy |
Authors: A. TONG, A. MCGEER;
Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Background: Pregnant women have shown to be at significantly higher risks for influenza-related complications. Despite recommendations from NACI and ACIP to vaccinate pregnant women, especially those at high risk, vaccination rates remain low. This study characterizes physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and how these factors affect vaccination patterns for pregnant women.
Method: 619 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 52 obstetricians (OBs) affiliated with 3 Toronto hospitals (2 teaching;1 community) were surveyed.
Results: 204 (33%) PCPs and 23 (44%) OBs responded. 93% of respondents had been vaccinated against influenza (compared to 60% HCWs in Ontario). 46% OBs and 40% PCPs agreed that influenza is a serious illness during pregnancy. 59% OBs and 60% PCPs believe that pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized for influenza than non-pregnant women, and >90% of both groups believe that influenza vaccine is effective. 91% of OBs but only 72% PCPs know that passive transfer of antibodies may protect the fetus/neonate (P=.04). 61% OBS vs 46% PCPs (p=ns) know the ACIP and NACI (78% vs 63%; p=ns) guidelines. If asked by their patients, 73% OBs and 56% (p=ns) of PCPs would indicate that the flu vaccine is recommended, but only 82% and 64% (p=ns) would indicate that the vaccine was safe for mother and fetus while 5% and 27% (p=.02) are hesitant to recommend vaccine. Overall 86% PCPs but only 13% OBs felt that it was their responsibility to provide vaccine. During 2002-03 influenza season, only 57% OBs vs 64% of PCPs recommended flu vaccine to their pregnant patient at high risk of complications.
Conclusions: Despite self-reported belief that influenza is a serious illness in pregnant women and that influenza vaccine is effective, this highly vaccinated group of obstetrical care providers failed to recommend vaccine even to pregnant patients at risk of influenza complications. More definitive data on vaccine safety and clarity regarding responsibility for providing vaccine are needed to increase vaccination rates in this population.
Presented At:
45th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Washington, DC, 12/16/2005.
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©Copyright
1999 Microbiology Department, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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