Knowledge and practice about influenza vaccination and compliance with influenza immunization among pregnant women in Sari, 2013

Background and Pregnant women are at a higher risk of influenza infection, and influenza vaccination is recommended for these women to reduce the associated complications. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice about influenza vaccination and identify the factors influencing compliance with influenza immunization among pregnant women. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 pregnant women referring to six health care centers and six obstetric clinics in 2013 in Sari, Mazandaran, Iran. After the random selection of health care centers, samples were collected using convenience sampling. The objectives of the study were explained to the participants, and questionnaires were completed on the demographic characteristics, knowledge and practice in influenza vaccination. Data analysis was performed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, Friedman test and T-test in SPSS V.14. In this study, general knowledge of pregnant women about influenza vaccination was relatively poor. Approximately 31% of the studied subjects had low awareness, while 52% and 18% had moderate and high levels of knowledge about influenza immunization. In addition, rate of influenza vaccination was estimated at 5.5%, and the most common reason for avoiding vaccination during pregnancy was the concern about the possible risks of the vaccine for the fetus (34.9%). According to the results of this study, pregnant women are not adequately informed about influenza vaccination and its benefits; therefore, the overall rate of influenza vaccination is low. In this regard, educational programs on influenza complications, benefits of maternal vaccination and vaccine safety should be implemented for pregnant women by health professionals.