Effectiveness of a Digital Intervention in Increasing Flu Vaccination–Related Risk Appraisal, Intention to Vaccinate and Vaccination Behaviour Among Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications from flu, but uptake of flu vaccination is below 75% targets. Evidence suggests that changing illness risk appraisals may increase vaccination behaviour. In 2018–2019, researchers, public health specialists, and pregnant women co-designed a short animation targeting (unhelpful) beliefs underlying pregnant women’s flu risk appraisals aiming to promote vaccination uptake. Aims This study aimed to examine effectiveness of a digital intervention (animation) in increasing flu vaccination among pregnant women through changing illness risk appraisals. Method A prospective study design was used, involving convenience sampling of unvaccinated pregnant women recruited via a Qualtrics Online Panel. Participants received small payments via the panel for survey completion. Risk appraisals and intention to vaccinate were measured at baseline and immediately after intervention presentation (follow-up one). Six months later, a further survey (follow-up two) was administered measuring vaccination behaviour. Results Baseline and first follow-up surveys were completed by 411 participants. Watching the animation led to increased appraisals of likelihood of getting flu while pregnant and severity of flu during pregnancy, and increased intentions to accept flu vaccination during pregnancy. Of the 67 respondents who completed follow-up survey two, 38 reported having the vaccination while pregnant. Conclusions This study provides evidence supporting the promise of the intervention. Randomized controlled trials are required to produce definitive efficacy evidence. Should such a study prove intervention effectiveness, it could be readily embedded within existing campaigns at national and local levels by public health organizations.

Interventions to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Uptake of Recommended Vaccines during Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Scoping Review

“…Three studies were conducted in Canada [ 31 , 36 , 51 ], two in Italy [ 38 , 41 ], and two in Taiwan [ 37 , 52 ]. The other seven studies occurred in Hong Kong [ 28 ], United Kingdom [ 39 ], France [ 47 ], India [ 46 ], Greece [ 40 ], Jordan [ 43 ], and Australia [ 45 ]. The majority of the studies (93%) were from high-income countries [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], and only two studies [ 43 , 46 ] were from low- and middle-income countries.…”

“…The other seven studies occurred in Hong Kong [ 28 ], United Kingdom [ 39 ], France [ 47 ], India [ 46 ], Greece [ 40 ], Jordan [ 43 ], and Australia [ 45 ]. The majority of the studies (93%) were from high-income countries [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], and only two studies [ 43 , 46 ] were from low- and middle-income countries. In total, fourteen studies focused on the influenza vaccine [ 27 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 46 ], six studies on Tdap vaccine [ …”

“…The majority of the studies (93%) were from high-income countries [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], and only two studies [ 43 , 46 ] were from low- and middle-income countries. In total, fourteen studies focused on the influenza vaccine [ 27 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 46 ], six studies on Tdap vaccine [ 42 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 52 ], eight studies on both Influenza and Tdap vaccines [ 29 , 38 ,…”

“…In total, fourteen studies focused on the influenza vaccine [ 27 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 46 ], six studies on Tdap vaccine [ 42 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 52 ], eight studies on both Influenza and Tdap vaccines [ 29 , 38 , 44 , 50 , 51 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], and only one study was conducted on the COVID-19 vaccine [ 43 ]. The study population was pregnant women only in twenty studies [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 44 , 46 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], postpartum women only in seven studies [ 42 , 45 , 47 , <...…”

Chinese pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-protection against coronavirus disease 2019 during the post-pandemic period: A structural equation modeling-based survey

“…In these situations, experts recommended regular examinations and follow-ups. Similarly, timely vaccination for pregnant women presenting with symptoms of infection was recommended [ 26 , 27 ]. Therefore, increasing pregnant women's knowledge of vaccination against COVID-19 should become the focus of research in the post-epidemic period.…”