ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Despite effectiveness and safety of maternal tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, Tdap vaccination coverage during pregnancy remains quite low. We assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice on maternal Tdap vaccination among pregnant women. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of pregnant women who visited tertiary obstetrics and gynecologic units in Seoul and Gyeonggi province of Korea. Individual questionnaires were administered to assess knowledge, attitude and practice on maternal immunization with Tdap. RESULTS: The questionnaires were completed by 184 pregnant women; 158 (86%) had not received information from doctors about pertussis and Tdap, and 166 (90%) did not know the need for Tdap vaccination. Only 7% of pregnant women unlikely to receive Tdap vaccine during current pregnancy answered 3 or more of the 5 knowledge-based questions correctly. By logistic regression analysis, recommendation by doctor (adjusted odd ratio [OR], 236.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12.6–4,432), belief that the vaccine is effective (adjusted OR, 40.21; 95% CI, 2.35–687.7), and belief that the vaccine is safe (adjusted OR, 19.83; 95% CI, 1.54–255.9) were significantly important factors to respondents’ intention to be vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: Most pregnant women seem to be neither recommended nor adequately informed about Tdap vaccination. Information given by health care professionals is very important to increase Tdap coverage among pregnant women.