Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards seasonal influenza and influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Kyrgyzstan: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Influenza is an acute respiratory disease of global importance due to its pandemic potential. Pregnant women are more susceptible to severe illness and adverse outcomes of influenza, and vaccination is the most effective preventive measure for mother and infant. The coverage rate of influenza immunization in Kyrgyzstan is below national targets, despite the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation to prioritize pregnant women for vaccination.This study sought to understand drivers and barriers to influenza vaccine uptake in pregnant women in Kyrgyzstan. A knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey was administered from December 2018 to March 2019 to 1,193 pregnant women aged 18 and older attending public health institutions in Kyrgyzstan. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association between variables and outcomes of interest.Nearly half (56.2 %) of the 1,193 participants expressed willingness to be vaccinated during their current pregnancy. Participants with only a high school education had a significantly greater intention for vaccination (95 % CI: 1.4–3.2, p < 0.005) in the multivariate analysis compared to participants with university degrees. Participants with underlying health conditions had a higher intention of being vaccinated (95 % CI: 1.2–1.9, p < 0.005). The main reason for vaccine refusal was the belief that influenza vaccines could have adverse effects on the fetus (28.4 %); belief that vaccines could harm their pregnancy (24.3 %); and concern about vaccine effectiveness (10.6 %).These findings are important as they can inform targeted strategies and policy updates to facilitate influenza vaccine implementation and improve uptake among pregnant women in Kyrgystan, and may support strengthening of national influenza vaccine programs in other countries in Central Asia.