Knowledge and Attitudes of Pregnant Women Toward Seasonal Influenza Vaccination

Background: Unfavourable pregnancy outcomes were more likely to occur in pregnant women who infected with influenza throughout their pregnancy. Influenza vaccination given at any trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women receive direct protection from the flu vaccine, and new-borns receive passive immunity. Aim: to assess pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes toward seasonal influenza vaccine. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive design used in the study. Setting: Suez Canal University Hospitals. Sampling: A convenient sample of 100 pregnant women. Tools: It includes three tools:1st was structured questionnaire sheet, 2nd was women’s seasonal influenza and vaccine knowledge, and 3rd was health belief model for women’s attitudes regarding influenza and vaccination. Results: It was clarified that less than a quarter of the study sample identified media as their primary source of information about the flu vaccine, followed by relatives and friends. Additionally, more than one-quarter of the participants reported having received the flu vaccine. There wasn’t a correlation between pregnant women ' knowledge and attitudes regarding seasonal influenza and its vaccination. Conclusion: A moderate level of knowledge among pregnant women regarding seasonal influenza and its vaccine, pregnant women generally demonstrated a positive attitude, The study further identified statistically significant differences in knowledge scores based on education level, employment status, and residence while no significant differences were observed in attitude scores. Recommendation: Develop and implement educational programs about seasonal influenza and its vaccine. Conduct further research to explore barriers to improve knowledge about seasonal influenza vaccine, focusing on sociocultural and economic factors.