Is the pre-natal period a missed opportunity for communicating with parents about immunizations? Evidence from a longitudinal qualitative study in Victoria, British Columbia

BMC Public Health

Devon Greyson¹  Constance Haselden²  Clara Rubincam³  Robin Saunders⁴  Julie A. Bettinger⁵ 

[1]Department of Communication, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

[2]University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

[3]Island Health, Victoria, BC, Canada

[4]Island Health, Victoria, BC, Canada

[5]Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, A5-950 West 28th Street, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada

[6]South Island Division of Family Practice, Victoria, BC, Canada

[7]Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, A5-950 West 28th Street, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada

关键词: Vaccine;    Vaccination;    Parent;    Decision-making;    Interviews;    Health care provider;    Midwives;    Doctors;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-022-12658-3

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundGrowing evidence shows that many parents begin the decision-making process about infant vaccination during pregnancy and these decisions – once established – may be resistant to change. Despite this, many interventions targeting vaccination are focused on communicating with parents after their baby is born. This suggests that the prenatal period may constitute a missed opportunity for communicating with expectant parents about infant vaccination.MethodsUsing a longitudinal qualitative design, we conducted two interviews (prepartum and postpartum) with women (n = 19) to explore the optimal timing of vaccination information. The data were analyzed thematically, and examined across all sets of pre- and post-partum interviews as well as within each individual participant to draw out salient themes.ResultsMost participants formed their intentions to vaccinate before the baby was born and indicated that they would welcome information about vaccination from their maternity care providers. However, few individuals recalled their maternity care providers initiating vaccination-related conversations with them.ConclusionThe prenatal period is an important time to begin conversations with expectant parents about vaccinating their infants, particularly if these conversations are initiated by trusted maternity care providers. More information is needed on how maternity care providers can be better supported to have these conversations with their patients.

【 授权许可】

CC BY