Postoji li povezanost između izvora informacija o cijepljenju i namjere cijepljenja djeteta? – Anketno istraživanje trudnica u Hrvatskoj.

Aim: The aim of this research is to examine the intention of pregnant women to vaccinate their children and to determine if there are differences in the intention to vaccinate with regard to the frequency of use and the perceived reliability of different sources of information about vaccination. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire on a sample of 297 pregnant women. The questionnaire consists of 3 groups of questions: sociodemographic and obstetrical data, intention to vaccinate the child and sources of information about the vaccination. Results: Most pregnant women (83%) accept vaccination, 10% are vaccine-hesitant, and 7% refuse vaccination. Although professional sources of information are used equally frequently by all groups of pregnant women, the perception of their reliability decreases with the weakening of the intention to vaccinate the child. Non-professional sources of information are most often used and considered the most reliable by vaccine-hesitant pregnant women who are actively looking for additional information about children’s vaccinations. Popular-professional sources of information are used significantly more often by vaccine-hesitant pregnant women and those who refuse vaccination, but pregnant women who accept vaccination perceive them as significantly more reliable than pregnant women who refuse vaccination. Conclusions: It is necessary to increase the availability and comprehensibility of professional sources of information and to educate healthcare professionals on effective communication with patients about the vaccination program and the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]