Richun Li1, Ruiqian Xie2, Chong Yang2, Jeanette Rainey3, Ying Song4, Carolyn Greene5. 1. International Emerging Infections Program, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China. 2. Chinese Center for Health Education, Beijing, China. 3. International Emerging Infections Program, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA. 4. Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China. 5. Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China. Electronic address: cqg4@cdc.gov.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are at higher risk for complications from influenza infection. Nevertheless, seasonal influenza vaccination among pregnant women in China is low. A better understanding of perceptions of pregnant women and their physicians, and factors influencing decisions about receiving seasonal influenza vaccine could be used to develop effective strategies for improving seasonal influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy. METHODS: We recruited pregnant women from 9 hospitals located in 5 cities across China to participate in focus group interviews. Obstetricians from the same hospitals were recruited for one on one in-depth interviews. We collected information about perceptions of barriers and motivating factors for utilizing seasonal influenza vaccine during pregnancy. We systematically analyzed the information using qualitative methods. RESULTS: We conducted 18 focus groups with 108 pregnant women and interviewed 18 obstetricians. Awareness about the use of influenza vaccine during pregnancy was minimal in both subject groups. None of the pregnant women had received influenza vaccine during pregnancy and none of the obstetricians had recommended influenza vaccine for their patients. Both groups noted insufficient knowledge about influenza infection and benefits of the vaccine, concerns about vaccine safety, and lack of local data related to vaccine use in Chinese pregnant women. Obstetricians cited the lack of a national policy as a major barrier to recommending seasonal influenza vaccine to pregnant women. Pregnant women cited not receiving a recommendation for vaccination from healthcare workers as an additional barrier. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the immediate need to increase awareness and knowledge about the risks of influenza infection and the benefits and safety of seasonal influenza vaccination among both pregnant women and obstetricians in China. Obstetricians interviewed stated that the development and implementation of a national policy prioritizing pregnant women for seasonal influenza vaccination would facilitate their willingness to recommend seasonal influenza vaccine to pregnant women.
BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are at higher risk for complications from influenza infection. Nevertheless, seasonal influenza vaccination among pregnant women in China is low. A better understanding of perceptions of pregnant women and their physicians, and factors influencing decisions about receiving seasonal influenza vaccine could be used to develop effective strategies for improving seasonal influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy. METHODS: We recruited pregnant women from 9 hospitals located in 5 cities across China to participate in focus group interviews. Obstetricians from the same hospitals were recruited for one on one in-depth interviews. We collected information about perceptions of barriers and motivating factors for utilizing seasonal influenza vaccine during pregnancy. We systematically analyzed the information using qualitative methods. RESULTS: We conducted 18 focus groups with 108 pregnant women and interviewed 18 obstetricians. Awareness about the use of influenza vaccine during pregnancy was minimal in both subject groups. None of the pregnant women had received influenza vaccine during pregnancy and none of the obstetricians had recommended influenza vaccine for their patients. Both groups noted insufficient knowledge about influenza infection and benefits of the vaccine, concerns about vaccine safety, and lack of local data related to vaccine use in Chinese pregnant women. Obstetricians cited the lack of a national policy as a major barrier to recommending seasonal influenza vaccine to pregnant women. Pregnant women cited not receiving a recommendation for vaccination from healthcare workers as an additional barrier. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the immediate need to increase awareness and knowledge about the risks of influenza infection and the benefits and safety of seasonal influenza vaccination among both pregnant women and obstetricians in China. Obstetricians interviewed stated that the development and implementation of a national policy prioritizing pregnant women for seasonal influenza vaccination would facilitate their willingness to recommend seasonal influenza vaccine to pregnant women.
Authors: Kai Sing Sun; Tai Pong Lam; Kit Wing Kwok; Kwok Fai Lam; Dan Wu; Pak Leung Ho Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2020-01-24 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Dong Dong; Richard Huan Xu; Eliza Lai-Yi Wong; Chi-Tim Hung; Da Feng; Zhanchun Feng; Eng-Kiong Yeoh; Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong Journal: Health Expect Date: 2020-10-06 Impact factor: 3.377