Knowledge and Beliefs regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccine among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics

Maklouf, Entesar M.; Aboushady, Reda M. Nabil; Elsharkawy, Nadia Bassuoni

doi:10.21608/asnj.2022.123887.1327

Knowledge and Beliefs regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccine among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor at Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt.

² Assistant Professor at Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University, Egypt.

10.21608/asnj.2022.123887.1327

Abstract

Background: Seasonal influenza during pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening illness. It is associated with an increased risk for both mother and fetus, as; respiratory and cardio-pulmonary hospitalization, pre-term delivery, fetal distress, and death. The current study aims to assess knowledge and beliefs regarding seasonal influenza vaccine among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was adopted for this study to achieve the study aim. Tool: Three tools were used to collect the data; 1) structured interviewing questionnaire schedule, 2) seasonal Influenza knowledge assessment tool, and 3) influenza vaccine beliefs scale. Sample: A purposive of 160 pregnant women was enrolled in the study. Setting: the study was conducted at the outpatient antenatal clinics, maternity hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 29.98 ± 6.107 years. About 45.6% of them had primary and secondary education with more than half of the study sample were working (51.9%). More than half of the study sample (51.9%) had a sufficient level of knowledge with a positive beliefs regarding seasonal influenza vaccine during pregnancy. The barrier of pregnant women not taking the vaccine was; expensive; women not welling and fears from safety of the vaccine. Conclusions: Pregnant women had a sufficient level of knowledge and positive beliefs regarding influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Recommendations: These findings are important in tailoring educational programs and addressing the training needs of increase awareness regarding seasonal influenza during pregnancy for all women attending outpatient clinics. Also, the obstetricians should be highlighted the need for a national policy for the use of vaccines during pregnancy.

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