Turkish pregnant women's opinions, beliefs, and attitudes about maternal tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, influenza, coronavirus disease 2019, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines

Abstract

Maternal vaccines, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap), and respiratory syncytial virus, have demonstrated strong effectiveness in protecting both mothers and their infants. This study aimed to evaluate pregnant women's attitudes toward maternal vaccination in Türkiye. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Maternal immunization behavior was the primary outcome measure. Attitudes, beliefs, and sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine acceptance were analyzed. In total, 457 respondents completed the questionnaire. Pregnancy-related vaccination rates for tetanus, COVID-19, influenza, and Tdap were 88.6%, 16.2%, 1.3%, and 0.9%, respectively. Vaccination rates were significantly higher among pregnant women who received vaccine information (P < .001). Women with a high school education were less likely to refuse vaccination (aOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.12-0.93; P = .037). Being followed at a hospital in a more socioeconomically advantaged area was associated with greater vaccine acceptance (aOR = 5.21, 95% CI: 1.77-15.34; P = .003). In addition, women who believed that vaccines were protective during pregnancy were more likely to accept vaccination (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21-0.99; P = .048). Women in Türkiye with a high school education were less likely to refuse vaccination, socioeconomically advantaged areas were associated with greater vaccine acceptance, and belief in vaccine protection increased uptake.