Matteo Ricco'1, Luigi Vezzosi2, Giovanni Gualerzi3, Federica Balzarini4, Vito A Capozzi5, Lavinia Volpi6. 1. Department of Public Health, Service for Health and Safety in the Workplace, IRCCS-AUSL di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy - matteo.ricco@ausl.re.it. 2. Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy. 3. Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. 4. San Raffaele Hospital, University "Vita e Salute", Milan, Italy. 5. Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. 6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRCCS-AUSL di Reggio Emilia, Guastalla Civil Hospital, Guastalla, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Italian National Immunization Plan (NIP) 2017-2019 has introduced new recommendations regarding immunization practices during pregnancy. In this cross-sectional study, we documented specific knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in a sample of obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYN). METHODS: A total of 68 OBGYN (39.7% of males, mean age of 47.7±9.3 years old) compiled a structured online questionnaire. Participants were asked about: knowledge of vaccine issues (both in general and regarding NIP recommendations for pregnant women); actual performance/recommendation of seasonal influenza (SID) and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccinations (Tdap); risk perception about SID and pertussis. Eventually, a regression analysis was performed in order to identify predictive factors for vaccine propensity. RESULTS: Although most OBGYN were aware of official recommendations, only 57.4% and 55.9% correctly recalled the appropriate timing for vaccinations shots for SID and Tdap. Overall, 79.4% and 67.6% of participants usually delivered or recommended SID and Tdap to pregnant women, respectively. Main perceived barriers were identified by OBGYN in patients' fear of side effects (89.7%), their low risk perception (82.3%), insufficient awareness of official recommendations among pregnant women (75.0%). Significant predictors of Tdap practice were identified in higher risk perception (OR 6.466, 95% CI: 1.077; 38.803) and better knowledge of official recommendations (OR 7.310, 95% CI: 1.195; 44.704), whereas SID was apparently unrelated with individual characteristics of participants. CONCLUSIONS: Sampled OBGYN were largely favorable towards vaccination of pregnant women. As knowledge of official recommendations was identified as a main predictor of appropriate behavior at least for Tdap practice, future educational interventions could eventually improve immunization rates.
BACKGROUND: Italian National Immunization Plan (NIP) 2017-2019 has introduced new recommendations regarding immunization practices during pregnancy. In this cross-sectional study, we documented specific knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in a sample of obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYN). METHODS: A total of 68 OBGYN (39.7% of males, mean age of 47.7±9.3 years old) compiled a structured online questionnaire. Participants were asked about: knowledge of vaccine issues (both in general and regarding NIP recommendations for pregnant women); actual performance/recommendation of seasonal influenza (SID) and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccinations (Tdap); risk perception about SID and pertussis. Eventually, a regression analysis was performed in order to identify predictive factors for vaccine propensity. RESULTS: Although most OBGYN were aware of official recommendations, only 57.4% and 55.9% correctly recalled the appropriate timing for vaccinations shots for SID and Tdap. Overall, 79.4% and 67.6% of participants usually delivered or recommended SID and Tdap to pregnant women, respectively. Main perceived barriers were identified by OBGYN in patients' fear of side effects (89.7%), their low risk perception (82.3%), insufficient awareness of official recommendations among pregnant women (75.0%). Significant predictors of Tdap practice were identified in higher risk perception (OR 6.466, 95% CI: 1.077; 38.803) and better knowledge of official recommendations (OR 7.310, 95% CI: 1.195; 44.704), whereas SID was apparently unrelated with individual characteristics of participants. CONCLUSIONS: Sampled OBGYN were largely favorable towards vaccination of pregnant women. As knowledge of official recommendations was identified as a main predictor of appropriate behavior at least for Tdap practice, future educational interventions could eventually improve immunization rates.
Authors: Antonella Arghittu; Marco Dettori; Antonio Azara; Davide Gentili; Antonello Serra; Bruno Contu; Paolo Castiglia Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-03 Impact factor: 3.390