title: Knowledge and attitiudes of pregnant women and their providers towards recommendations for immunization during pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) and influenza vaccination is recommended during each pregnancy but uptake is suboptimal. We evaluated knowledge and acceptance of vaccination recommendations among pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, convenience survey of pregnant women presenting for antenatal care at the Pavilion for Women, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, and their healthcare providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  796 of 825 (96.5%) of women and 63 of 87 (72.4%) providers completed surveys. Mean age of pregnant women was 30.2 (18-45) years. Self-identified race/ethnicity was 45% white, 26% Hispanic, 13% black, 12% Asian and 4% other. Most women had college degrees (84%) and private health insurance (83%). Mean gestation was 28.5 weeks with 4.8%, 37.8% and 57.4%, in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters, respectively. Women used various sources for pregnancy information (personal contacts, providers, print, audiovisual and online media) but 89.1% cited a provider as their most trusted source, predominantly (85.8%) their physician. 668 (84%) knew vaccines are recommended during pregnancy, specifically influenza (77%) and Tdap (61%) vaccines. 659 (83%) were willing to receive vaccines if recommended by their physician. Factors impacting vaccination decisions included safety for baby, safety for mother and sufficient information, scoring 4.7, 4.5 and 4.2, respectively, on a 5-point scale; less important were additional visit time (2.6), cost (1.9) or needle phobia (1). Women surveyed in the 3rd trimester showed greater acceptance than those earlier in gestation (87% vs 78%; P0.003). Maternal education, ethnicity, insurance, multiple gestation or history of serious illness in a prior infant did not affect willingness to receive vaccines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnant women are willing to accept vaccination in pregnancy if recommended by their physician and if sufficient discussion of safety and rationale occurs. Strong physician recommendation, as reported for pediatric vaccination, is essential to optimizing uptake of vaccines during pregnancy.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: chealy@bcm.edu.
authors: C Mary
authors: CM
authors: Healy
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors: Marcia A
authors: MA
authors: Rench
authors: Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors: Diana P
authors: DP
authors: Montesinos
authors: Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Ng
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors: Laurie S
authors: LS
authors: Swaim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Maternal immunization; Pregnancy; Provider recommendation; Vaccine uptake