title: Influenza vaccination during pregnancy: a qualitative study of the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of general practitioners in Central and South-Western Sydney.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnant women have an increased risk of influenza complications. Influenza vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective, however coverage in Australia is less than 40%. Pregnant women who receive a recommendation for influenza vaccination from a health care provider are more likely to receive it, however the perspectives of Australian general practitioners has not previously been reported. The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of general practitioners practicing in South-Western Sydney, Australia towards influenza vaccination during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, with semi-structured interviews completed with seventeen general practitioners in October 2012. A thematic analysis was undertaken by four researchers, and transcripts were analysed using N-Vivo software according to agreed codes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-third of the general practitioners interviewed did not consider influenza during pregnancy to be a serious risk for the mother or the baby. The majority of the general practitioners were aware of the government recommendations for influenza vaccination during pregnancy, but few general practitioners were confident of their knowledge about the vaccine and most felt they needed more information. More than half the general practitioners had significant concerns about the safety of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Their practices in the provision of the vaccine were related to their perception of risk of influenza during pregnancy and their confidence about the safety of the vaccine. While two-thirds reported that they are recommending influenza vaccination to their pregnant patients, many were adopting principles of patient-informed choice in their approach and encouraged women to decide for themselves whether they would receive the vaccine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General practitioners have varied knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about influenza vaccination during pregnancy, which influence their practices. Addressing these could have a significant impact on improving vaccine uptake during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: NSW Public Health Officer Training Program, NSW Ministry of Health, 73 Miller St, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia. lmahe@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Kerrie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wiley
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: Siranda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torvaldsen
authors.forename: Glenda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conaty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009517:New South Wales; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines