Factors associated with the intention to recommend pertussis vaccination for postpartum women: a survey in Taiwan of obstetrician-gynecologists' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine obstetrician-gynecologists' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes associated with the intention to recommend adult tetanus, reduced diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination to postpartum women.


METHODS
A survey instrument was mailed to a total of 2686 members of the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology to assess provider demographic characteristics, occupational information, pertussis knowledge, and beliefs and attitudes about vaccination. The intention to recommend pertussis vaccination to postpartum women was evaluated. Trend chi-square statistics and multivariate logistic models were used to determine variables that were significantly associated with intention to recommend vaccination.


RESULTS
Of the 676 surveys returned (25.2%), 510 participants were active in obstetric practice. A statistically significant difference was found in mean ± SD knowledge scores for pertussis disease and pertussis vaccination between obstetrician-gynecologists who intended to recommend and those who did not intend to recommend postpartum Tdap vaccination (disease: 2.99 ± 2.2 vs. 2.31 ± 1.9, respectively, p < .001; vaccination: 2.64 ± 2.2 vs. 1.36 ± 1.8, respectively, p < .001). Obstetrician-gynecologists who were in favor of postpartum Tdap vaccination were more likely to: (1) rate the change in pertussis incidence among adults as increased; (2) rate pertussis disease among newborn infants as highly severe; (3) rate pertussis as highly contagious; and (4) understand the current recommendation of important organizations for protecting infants against pertussis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study of obstetrician-gynecologists' attitudes and intentions concerning postpartum Tdap vaccination may be useful in guiding the design of effective perinatal Tdap immunization programs nationwide.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chuan-Chi
CC
Kao
Shang-Yu
SY
Huang
Po-Jen
PJ
Cheng
Sheng-Wen
SW
Shaw
Ho-Yen
HY
Chueh
Shuenn-Dhy
SD
Chang
Te-Yao
TY
Hsu
Fu-Tsai
FT
Kung
T'sang-T'ang
TT
Hsieh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009774:Obstetrics; D011181:Postnatal Care; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013624:Taiwan; D014611:Vaccination; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
D022681:Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines