The knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward vaccination in pregnancy, pertussis, and pertussis vaccination during pregnancy among pregnant women in Hong Kong

Aims: The Centre for Health Protection of Hong Kong has issued a recommendation on pertussis vaccination during pregnancy to protect infants against pertussis. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward pertussis vaccination during pregnancy among pregnant women in Hong Kong. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a 6-week period from August 17 to September 30 2019 among pregnant women in an obstetrics department in a regional public hospital in Hong Kong. Information on participants' demographics, medical, and immunization history, their knowledge, perception and attitudes, toward pertussis vaccination during pregnancy were gathered. Point-biserial correlation coefficients were used to determine correlation between variables. Results: Only 112 (24.6%) women knew that pertussis vaccination can be given during pregnancy and 53 (11.6%) recognized that antenatal pertussis vaccination should be given in each pregnancy. Despite poor knowledge on the vaccination, over 80% of women showed an intention to receive pertussis vaccination during pregnancy. Fifty-two (71.3%) women expressed that recommendations by healthcare professionals may alter their decision on vaccination uptake. The score in the knowledge section and the perception to the vaccination positively correlated with the intention to be vaccinated. Those who were given advice by healthcare professionals were more likely to indicate an intention to receive the vaccination. Conclusion: Pregnant women in Hong Kong are likely to accept antenatal pertussis vaccination despite the poor knowledge on vaccination in pregnancy and antenatal pertussis vaccination. Recommendations by healthcare professionals are a key factor affecting women's decision on vaccination uptake.

Automated summary

The study revealed that a minority of pregnant women in Hong Kong were aware that pertussis vaccination can be given during pregnancy, but over 80% expressed willingness to receive the vaccine. Healthcare professionals' recommendations were found to be a key factor influencing women's decision on vaccination uptake.