Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of seasonal influenza vaccination in postpartum women, Honduras

Abstract

Background Influenza during pregnancy may cause serious neonatal outcomes including stillbirth, fetal distress, preterm birth, congenital abnormalities, and stunted growth. Pregnant women are the highest priority group for seasonal influenza vaccination, but low coverage has been repeatedly reported in this population. Understanding reasons for and for not receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine is needed to design communication strategies to increase vaccination coverage. This study aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of seasonal influenza vaccination among women giving birth in public maternity hospitals in Honduras. Methods From August 20–October 8, 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional KAP survey regarding seasonal influenza vaccinations to a sample of postpartum women who gave birth in maternity hospitals and clinics from the Ministry of Health of Honduras and Honduran Social Security Institute. We reported frequency distributions for demographics, KAP of influenza vaccine, and vaccination coverage. We used logistic regression to analyze unadjusted and adjusted associations between sociodemographic characteristics and influenza vaccination. Results We surveyed 842 postpartum women in 17 healthcare facilities. Of 534 postpartum women with term pregnancy and verified vaccinations, 417 (78.1%; 95% CI: 74.6–81.6%) were vaccinated for influenza. Factors associated with verified influenza vaccination included receipt of vaccination recommendations by a healthcare worker during prenatal check-ups (aOR: 16.46; 95% CI: 9.73–27.85), concurrent chronic disease (aOR: 5.00; 95% CI: 1.25–20.07), and influenza vaccination of other children in the household (aOR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.19–4.39). The most cited reasons for vaccination were perceived benefits for both mother and infant and easy access. Reasons for non-vaccination were: vaccine was not offered and fear of side effects, harm to the infant, and needles or pain caused by injection. Conclusion Influenza vaccination was well received among postpartum women in Honduras. Increasing clinician recommendations for vaccination and assuring the vaccine is readily available to women during prenatal visits may increase vaccination rates.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices for the use of seasonal influenza vaccination, healthcare workers, Costa Rica

“…Direct physician recommendations have been shown to be associated with seasonal influenza vaccination among risk groups, including pregnant women [ 31 ], older adults [ 32 ], and individuals with comorbidities [ 33 ]. One systematic review found that pregnant women who received recommendations from healthcare providers were 20 to 100 times more likely to be vaccinated [ 28 ].…”

Association between risk perception and influenza vaccine hesitancy for children among reproductive women in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national online survey

“…Flood et al found that perception of susceptibility to influenza was associated with vaccine hesitancy for children [ 18 ]. Madewell et al found that perceived benefits for mother and infant, and easy accessibility of vaccines were the most cited reasons for influenza vaccination in Honduras [ 32 ]. Mills et al reported that the most common response of parents refusing vaccination was a fear of long-term complications for their children due to vaccines [ 33 ].…”