Determination of vaccination status of pregnant women during pregnancy and the affecting factors

Aims and objectives. To determine the vaccination status of pregnant women during pregnancy and factors affecting their vaccination. Background. Immunisation provided through vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce or prevent the risks of disease, disability and death. Maternal and newborn health may be protected and morbidity may be decreased through vaccinating pregnant women when necessary. Design. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional survey. Methods. This study was conducted in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey, between 01 March and 31 May 2010. The study was carried out with 198 healthy pregnant women who had completed the 26th week of gestation. Data were collected using the data collection form composed of questions enquiring about the demographic and obstetric features of pregnant women and whether or not they knew that vaccinations could be given during pregnancy, and which vaccines could be used during pregnancy, which vaccine/vaccines they had previously received and the reasons for having been vaccinated or not. Results. Approximately half of the participants had received at least one of the vaccines that may be used in pregnancy (52.0%). The pregnant women received vaccinations for tetanus (47.0%), H1N1 (9.1%), seasonal influenza (3.0%) and hepatitis B (0.5%), respectively. The pregnant women who had been educated about vaccinations had been vaccinated at a statistically significantly higher rate compared with those who had not. Conclusion. This study revealed that pregnant women's knowledge about the required vaccines during pregnancy affected their behaviour towards vaccination. Acquiring knowledge about vaccines that may be used during pregnancy from health personnel is effective to increase vaccination. This result may be interpreted as 'acquired information affects behaviour towards vaccination'. Relevance to clinical practice. Providing information about immunisation to pregnant women at the antenatal clinic is important in terms of maternal and newborn health. Nurses and midwives working in the antenatal field should be sufficiently educated about immunisation.