Research Article: Association between educational level and acceptance of antenatal respiratory syncytial virus vaccination among Saudi women: a cross-sectional study
Abstract:
Recently, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine was approved and recommended for pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Data are needed regarding pregnant women's awareness of RSV infection and their acceptance of the RSV vaccine. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the awareness and acceptance of antenatal RSV vaccines among postpartum women in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at two hospitals in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. A validated 13-item questionnaire was used, including questions regarding demographic data, awareness of RSV infection, and acceptance of the antenatal RSV vaccine. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between demographic data and awareness and acceptance of the antenatal RSV vaccine.
Among 400 postpartum women (mean age, 30 years; range, 18–44 years), 51% were aware of RSV infection. Most provided correct answers regarding the mode of RSV transmission (72.5%). Approximately 40% of the participants perceived the seriousness of the RSV infection to be high for infants after delivery. Acceptance for receiving the RSV vaccine was moderate (58%). Compared with high school or lower educational level, university or higher education was associated with lower acceptance of the RSV vaccine (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.93).
Despite moderate awareness of RSV infection, maternal acceptance of the antenatal RSV vaccine among highly educated women was lower than that among women with a lower education level. This low acceptance rate highlights the need for future studies to evaluate the actual uptake of antenatal RSV vaccination among highly educated women.
Introduction:
Recently, a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine was approved and recommended for pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Data are needed regarding pregnant women's awareness of RSV infection and their acceptance of the RSV vaccine. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the awareness and acceptance of antenatal RSV vaccines among postpartum women in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
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