Feasibility and acceptability of the multi-component P3-MumBubVax antenatal intervention to promote maternal and childhood vaccination: A pilot study

Vaccine. 2020 May 19;38(24):4024-4031. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.04.010. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a critical time for vaccine decision-making, but coverage remains suboptimal for maternal influenza (45-60%) and pertussis vaccination (65-80%) in Australia. The multi-component P3-MumBubVax intervention has been designed for Australian midwives to optimise antenatal vaccine discussions and improve maternal and childhood vaccine uptake. A pilot study was conducted to assess intervention feasibility and acceptability.

Methods: P3-MumBubVax includes components at three levels: 1. Practice ('vaccine champions'; stickers to prompt and record vaccine discussions/delivery); 2. Provider (website with vaccine communication training; learning exercise; fact sheets; links to child vaccination resources); 3. Parent (SMS reminders; website; fact sheets). Midwives and pregnant women 18-22 weeks gestation were recruited at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Post-intervention online surveys assessed intervention feasibility, implementation, acceptability and impact on vaccine uptake.

Results: Twenty-five midwives and 62 pregnant women were recruited and 19/25 midwives completed training. Surveys were returned by 18/25 midwives and 56/62 women. 14/18 midwives reported using the sticker prompts, 10/18 reported using or referring to the website, and 11/18 reported using the fact sheets. 48/56 pregnant women (86%) reported discussing influenza and 46/56 (82%) discussed pertussis vaccines with their midwives. These conversations were reported to be short (1-3 min) for 48/56 women (87%). All midwives were satisfied with the intervention and 17/18 reported feeling more confident discussing vaccines following the intervention. Women were very satisfied with SMS content (50/56; 94%) and timing (49/55; 89%), and with their vaccine discussions in general (34/56; 63%). However, 16/54 (30%) wanted more discussion about childhood vaccines. Self-reported maternal vaccine uptake was 82% (45/55) and 93% (51/55) for influenza and pertussis (baseline 2017-2018: 43% influenza, 60% pertussis) and 96% (50/52) of infants were fully vaccinated at 12 weeks.

Discussion: The P3-MumBubVax intervention is feasible and acceptable in the Australian public antenatal setting. Further evaluation is required to determine effectiveness.

Keywords: Communication; Feasibility study; Health services; Implementation; Maternal immunisation; Midwifery; Vaccination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
  • Midwifery
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care*
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines