title: Predictors of uptake of influenza vaccination--a survey of pregnant women in Western Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications following influenza infection. Vaccination is the most effective preventive strategy. This survey aimed to determine the levels of uptake of influenza vaccine in pregnant women in Western Australia (WA), the proportion of women offered vaccination as part of antenatal care, and women's attitudes toward influenza vaccination in pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computer assisted telephone interviews were conducted with 416 randomly selected women who were pregnant during the 2012 influenza vaccination season.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Influenza vaccination coverage was 23%. Predictors of vaccination included believing that vaccination is safe for the infant, having been recommended vaccination by an antenatal care provider, and attending a general practitioner for most antenatal care. The majority (74%) of unvaccinated women reported that they would have the vaccine if their antenatal care provider recommended it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General practitioners lead the way in antenatal influenza vaccination in WA. Vaccination coverage can be improved if recommending and offering influenza vaccination becomes a routine part of antenatal care.
authors: Prevention & Control Program, Communicable Disease Control Directorate, WA Department of Health, Perth, WA, Australia. silje.taksdal@health.wa.gov.au
authors: Silje E
authors: SE
authors: Taksdal
authors: Donna B
authors: DB
authors: Mak
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Joyce
authors: Stephania
authors: S
authors: Tomlin
authors: Dale
authors: D
authors: Carcione
authors: Paul K
authors: PK
authors: Armstrong
authors: Paul V
authors: PV
authors: Effler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines