Impact of patient education on knowledge of influenza and vaccine recommendations among pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether providing an information pamphlet in the antenatal clinic improves women's knowledge about influenza and vaccine recommendations during pregnancy.

METHODS

An information pamphlet was distributed in the antenatal clinic during the fall of 2007. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in women on the postpartum floor in the fall of 2006 and again in the fall of 2007 (before and after implementation of the pamphlet) to assess women's knowledge. Results were compared to assess knowledge transfer.

RESULTS

Knowledge improved with the use of the educational pamphlet. Most women in both years (>90%) correctly answered that influenza is a serious infection. However, significantly more women in 2007 correctly answered that pregnant women have a higher risk of complications from influenza (34.6% in 2007 vs. 12.1% in 2006, P < 0.001), that the influenza vaccine is safe for use during pregnancy (80.2% vs. 55.2%, P < 0.001) or breastfeeding (75.3% vs. 60.3%, P = 0.001), and that the vaccine does not cause birth defects (90.1% vs. 79.3%, P = 0.04). After implementation of the information pamphlet, a significantly higher proportion of women knew the correct recommendations for influenza vaccination during pregnancy (63.2% vs. 39.7%, P < 0.001). Vaccination rates increased from 19% in 2006 to 56% in 2007.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing an information pamphlet in the antenatal clinic improved pregnant women's knowledge about influenza and vaccine safety during pregnancy and about recommendations for influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Knowledge transfer in this area may help to increase vaccination rates.