title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers in the country of Georgia regarding influenza vaccinations for pregnant women.
abstract: To document knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Georgian obstetrician-gynecologists concerning influenza infection and vaccination during pregnancy.
  
  
  
  We conducted a cross-sectional study of obstetrician-gynecologists in 8 cities in the country of Georgian, from June to July, 2015, using an anonymous, self-administered, written survey. Collected data included demographics; knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to influenza vaccination during pregnancy; perceptions of influenza infection in pregnancy; perceived barriers to influenza vaccination during pregnancy; and willingness to receive education about influenza infection and vaccination during pregnancy.
  
  
  
  A total of 278 obstetrician-gynecologists completed surveys. Most physicians perceived influenza to be a serious infectious disease (88%) and that pregnant women are more susceptible to it than the general population. Only 43% of physicians reported recommending influenza vaccination during pregnancy; 18% reported vaccinating any pregnant patients during the last influenza season. Most (75%) physicians reported a perception that there is insufficient evidence supporting influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Most (93%) were receptive to receiving additional education on maternal vaccination.
  
  
  
  Georgian physicians are hesitant to vaccinate pregnant women, but are receptive to education about maternal vaccination. Future educational outreach to Georgian physicians could reduce concerns about maternal vaccination, potentially increasing influenza vaccination among pregnant Georgian women.
authors: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: mdvalis@emory.edu.
authors: Mariam
authors: M
authors: Dvalishvili
authors: School of Public Health, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Electronic address: daremesxi@yahoo.com.
authors: Darejan
authors: D
authors: Mesxishvili
authors: School of Public Health, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia; Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia. Electronic address: maiabutsashvili@gmail.com.
authors: Maia
authors: M
authors: Butsashvili
authors: School of Public Health, Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia; Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia. Electronic address: georgekamkamidze@gmail.com.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Kamkamidze
authors: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: dmcfarl@emory.edu.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: McFarland
authors: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: rbednar@emory.edu.
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Bednarczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005846:Georgia (Republic); D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D037841:Pregnant People; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Health knowledge and beliefs; Influenza; Pregnancy; Recommendations; Vaccination