Background: Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza during pregnancy. This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), as well as barriers associated with the uptake of influenza vaccination among pregnant women worldwide.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, a comprehensive search of online databases (Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) was conducted to identify all studies examining knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and barriers related to vaccination among pregnant women up to December 2022.
Results: A total of 24 studies from 22 countries were analyzed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding influenza vaccination among pregnant women. The mean correct knowledge score was 50.75% (ranging from 5.5% to 96%), with the highest score reported in Thailand and the lowest in Iran. The mean positive attitude score was 57.05% (ranging from 34.6% to 79.5%), with Iranian women showing more positive attitudes than Italian women, who had less favorable views.
The mean practice score related to vaccination was 37·45% (ranging from 1·1% to 73·8%), with the best performance observed in the UK and the poorest in Turkey. The primary barrier to vaccination was concern over side effects, cited by approximately 80·9% of participants as a major deterrent. Other significant barriers included a lack of awareness about vaccine safety, insufficient endorsement or recommendation from healthcare providers, unawareness of the benefits that vaccination provides for both mothers and infants, and negative attitudes towards vaccination among pregnant women.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that pregnant women generally possess limited knowledge and exhibit low vaccination practices regarding influenza, despite holding moderate positive attitudes. The widespread concern about vaccine side effects highlights the urgent need for targeted educational interventions to enhance understanding and boost vaccination uptake.