The Attitude of Polish Women Planning Pregnancy and Having Children Towards the Prevention Methods of Vertical Infections: a Cross-sectional Survey Study

Abstract BackgroundInfectious agents can cause serious fetopathy. Some of them can be avoided by implementing appropriate prevention methods while planning pregnancy.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study was performed. The questionnaire investigated attitudes towards the prevention methods of vertical infections. Opinions about anti-vaccine movements and “chicken-pox party” were also checked.ResultsThe study group consisted of 2402 women, age range was 16-54 years (median: 31 years). Most women were from cities > 100,000 inhabitants (49.7%, 1194/2402) and with higher education (71.9%, 1726/2402). Positive attitude towards vaccinations was more common among younger, nulliparous women from big cities (p=0.02, p=0.04 and p=0.01, respectively). 2068/2402 (86.1%) of them have not been vaccinated before pregnancy and 1931/2402 (80.4%) of women have not been vaccinated during pregnancy. 1545/2402 (64.3%) of women considered vaccination safe, and effective (1904/2402, 79.3%) against infectious diseases. Regarding the so-called chickenpox party as many n=296/2402 (12.3%) have no opinion on this matter.ConclusionsMost women in Poland have a positive attitude towards vaccination, they consider vaccines safe and effective against infectious diseases. A significant proportion of women have not been vaccinated, the role of physician leading the patient to be vaccinated is crucial. About 12% of women are the undecided fraction, and the educational role of physicians is essential to convince them of the importance of vaccination.