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Postpartum mothers' attitudes, knowledge, and trust regarding vaccination
Ann Chen Wu1, Daryl J Wisler-Sher, Katherine Griswold
1Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Medical School, and Children's Hospital, 133 Brookline Avenue, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02215-5301, USA. ann.wu@childrens.harvard.edu
Maternal and Child Health Journal
|November 8, 2007
Summary
Postpartum mothers express concerns about infant vaccinations, with many desiring more information during pregnancy. Primiparous mothers, low-income mothers not on WIC, and breastfeeding mothers may require targeted vaccine trust-building efforts.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Postpartum mothers' attitudes and knowledge regarding infant vaccinations are crucial for public health.
- Understanding maternal concerns is key to improving vaccination rates and addressing vaccine hesitancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine postpartum mothers' attitudes and knowledge concerning infant vaccinations.
- To identify factors associated with vaccine mistrust in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study surveyed 228 postpartum mothers at a large teaching hospital in Connecticut.
- Multivariable analysis was employed to identify mothers with lower trust in vaccines.
Main Results:
- 29% of mothers worried about infant vaccinations, citing concerns about efficacy and administration.
- Poor knowledge about vaccines was observed; only 33% correctly linked chickenpox to the varicella vaccine.
- Mothers planning to breastfeed, primiparous mothers, and low-income mothers not receiving WIC support showed less vaccine trust.
Conclusions:
- Despite high vaccination rates, maternal concerns and a desire for earlier immunization information (during pregnancy) are evident.
- Primiparous, low-income (non-WIC), and breastfeeding mothers may need tailored approaches to build vaccine trust.
- Enhanced prenatal education on vaccine risks and benefits is recommended to improve maternal knowledge and confidence.
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