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. 2018 Jul 3;14(7):1591-1598.
doi: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1445455. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Understanding the barriers to uptake of antenatal vaccination by women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: A cross-sectional study

Sushena Krishnaswamy  1   2 , Allen C Cheng  3   4 , Euan M Wallace  1   5 , Jim Buttery  6   7 , Michelle L Giles  1   3
Affiliations

Understanding the barriers to uptake of antenatal vaccination by women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: A cross-sectional study

Sushena Krishnaswamy et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. .

Abstract

The role of maternal vaccination in reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality is expanding but uptake remains suboptimal. While the barriers to uptake have been well described, women from minority groups have not been well represented in previous studies. In this study we examine the facilitators and barriers to uptake of antenatal vaccination by women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia. 537 women attending antenatal care completed a survey; 69% were born overseas. 63% had or intended to receive pertussis vaccine and 57% had or intended to receive influenza vaccine during their pregnancy. On multivariable analysis, predictors of uptake of pertussis vaccine were healthcare provider recommendation (OR 10, 95% CI 5-21, p < 0.001) and belief maternal pertussis vaccination is safe (OR 36, 95% CI 18-70, p < 0.001). For influenza vaccine, predictors of uptake were previous receipt of influenza vaccine (OR 8, 95% CI 5-15, p < 0.001) and healthcare provider recommendation (OR 30, 95% CI 16-56, p < 0.001). Lack of healthcare provider recommendation was the main reason for non-vaccination (17/46, 37%). While most women were aware of and intended to receive recommended vaccinations, recently arrived migrant women (resident in Australia for less than two years) were less likely to be aware of pertussis vaccine (15/22, 68% vs 452/513, 88%, p = 0.01) and less likely to believe it to be safe during pregnancy (4/22, 18% vs 299/514, 58%, p < 0.001). This highlights the important role of healthcare providers in recommending and educating women, particularly newly arrived migrant women, in their decisions about vaccination during pregnancy.

Keywords: antenatal vaccination; attitudes; ethnically diverse; influenza; knowledge; maternal vaccination; pertussis; vaccination attitudes; vaccine acceptance; vaccines in pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Reasons for vaccination/ non-vaccination Abbreviations: dTpa: Pertussis-containing vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis) IIV: Inactivated influenza vaccine HCP: Healthcare provider.
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This work was supported by a Glaxo Smith Kline Small Project Grant, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, and an Australian Government Research Training Scholarship.

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