Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards the Influenza Vaccine Among Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies.

Influenza is an acute viral disease that primarily affects the airways. It is caused by influenza A and B-RNA viruses. The disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The prevention of influenza includes chemoprophylaxis and vaccination, which are the primary preventive measures against influenza infection and should be highly considered by everyone during influenza season. A systematic literature search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase until September 2024. The review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eventually, a total of 20 publications were included in the final analysis of this systematic review. While general awareness of influenza was moderate, detailed understanding of complications and vaccine safety was frequently lacking. Misconceptions-such as fears of fetal harm and confusion between antiviral and antibiotic treatments-were widespread. Vaccine uptake was generally low but strongly correlated with receiving a healthcare provider recommendation. Willingness to vaccinate was higher in settings where participants were educated during the study process, indicating a crucial role of health communication. According to the reviewed literature, the reluctance to receive maternal vaccination often stems primarily from fears or concerns about adverse reactions or misconceptions about the vaccine's effectiveness, as well as the absence of a physician's recommendation. Misconceptions regarding vaccine safety, limited understanding of influenza severity, and a lack of clear communication from healthcare professionals are key contributors to low vaccination uptake. Importantly, multiple studies confirmed that recommendation by a trusted healthcare provider significantly increases vaccine acceptance. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted educational strategies, improved antenatal counseling, and systems-level support to ensure that maternal influenza vaccination becomes a standard and trusted component of prenatal care worldwide.