Health Expertise of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination among Midwife Trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Objective For the first time, the level of knowledge and attitude towards vaccinations in general as well as seasonal influenza vaccination of midwife trainees in Germany was assessed. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2017. The written standardized questionnaire was completed by all midwife-trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia. The statistical analysis included frequency tables and multiple logistic regression models. Results All of the 10 Schools for Midwifery in North Rhine-Westphalia participated in the survey and 315 questionnaires (response rate: 95.7 %) were analyzed. The efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccinations was misjudged by 77.8 % and possible adverse events were correctly estimated by only 35.2 %. Regarding the safety of the seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy, 56.2 % of midwife trainees were not convinced of it. Factors associated with a higher risk for insufficient knowledge regarding the influenza vaccination were age (22-25 years vs. 18-21 years, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.99 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.12-3.52)), an inaccurate evaluation of the risk of infection (aOR 3.68 95 %-CI 1.85-7.29) and insufficient knowledge of the influenza disease (aOR 1.78 95 %-CI 1.04-3.06). By contrast, 76.8 % of midwife trainees reported a positive attitude towards vaccinations in general, although 73.3 % complained of getting too little information on complications due to vaccines. Conclusion The lack of knowledge regarding seasonal influenza vaccination in midwife trainees impedes the expansion of vaccine protection of midwives, pregnant women and newborns. Information campaigns among midwife trainees as well as an evaluation and optimization of teaching units including scientifically validated information seem necessary. Moreover, these findings should encourage physicians to increasingly draw attention to the importance and efficacy of seasonal influenza vaccination among all medical professionals.