Flu vaccination beliefs in pregnancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the beliefs underlying pregnant women’s appraisals of the risk of influenza and the influenza vaccination during pregnancy. A qualitative study
IRAS ID
207673
Contact name
Joanne E Parsons
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Coventry University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Exploring the beliefs underlying pregnant women’s appraisals of the risk of influenza and influenza vaccination during pregnancy. A qualitative study
This study aims to examine beliefs and appraisals of risk held by pregnant women about the flu vaccination during pregnancy. Exploring thought processes and perceptions of risk from women who are both in favour and not of the flu vaccination will highlight the decision-making process employed when considering whether or not to engage with the flu vaccination. It will allow an examination into whether appraisals of risk contribute to the process.
This study is examining risk appraisal in relation to flu vaccination. Risk appraisals are beliefs individuals hold about potential threats to their own health (Wright 2010), and have been included in a number of theories of health behaviour as an important determinant of action. Perceptions of health risk are frequently measured using estimates of likelihood and/ or severity of the given health behaviour. Recent research indicates that increasing risk appraisal can have an effect on increasing behaviour change.
As uptake of flu vaccination during pregnancy is repeatedly reported as low, this study is designed to explore the possibility that one way of increasing flu vaccine uptake by pregnant women may therefore be to increase their appraisals of the risk of influenza during pregnancy.
Participants will consist of pregnant women, over the age of 18 whose first language is English (to ensure that there are no translation difficulties or misunderstandings).
The study will be conducted at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. Participants will be recruited at this site through Community Midwives. Interviews will take place in private rooms at the hospital, Coventry University, at participant's home or over the telephone.
The study will aim to recruit and interview 15-20 participants. Participants will be invited to engage in a one-to-one interview approximately one hour long.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
16/WA/0355
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion