Enhancing Maternal Vaccine Knowledge and Uptake: The InTroDuce-Programme Trial

1.0 Background and Significance

Maternal vaccination is a crucial public health strategy to protect mothers and infants from infectious diseases like influenza and pertussis. Pregnant women face higher risks of complications due to physiological and immunological changes, with a fourfold increased likelihood of influenza-related hospitalization. Similarly, pertussis is particularly severe in infants under two months. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health recommends influenza and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy, but uptake remains low due to safety concerns, limited provider recommendations, and access issues. Digital interventions, particularly video-based education, have shown promise in addressing vaccine hesitancy. To tackle these barriers, the InTroDuce-Programme, a comprehensive web-based educational module, has been developed to improve vaccination knowledge and uptake.

2.0 Objective

General objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the InTroDuce-Programme in improving knowledge and future uptake of influenza and Tdap vaccination among pregnant mothers.

Specific objectives:

• To determine the sociodemographic factors and clinical variables among study population.
• To determine the prevalence of future vaccination uptake following the InTroDuce-Programme.
• To evaluate the level of participants' attitudes and barriers towards future vaccination uptake before and after the InTroDuce-Programme.
• To determine the effectiveness of the InTroDuce-Programme in improving knowledge and future uptake of influenza and Tdap vaccination among pregnant mothers.
• To determine the factors associated with low future uptake of vaccine with socio-demographic factors (age, race, income, education) among pregnant mothers.

3.0 Methodology

3.1 Study Design

This randomised controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in four primary care clinics in Hulu Langat district which are Klinik Kesihatan Kajang, Klinik Kesihatan Bangi, Klinik Kesihatan Batu 9 and Klinik Kesihatan Balakong. The study duration is 12 months, with recruitment over 6 months. A second follow-up will be conducted one month after providing the InTroDuce-Programme. Two clinics will be randomly assigned to administer the InTroDuce-Programme, while the other two will be provided with standard care, in order to minimise contamination.

Cluster definition based on urban and suburban classification Klinik Kesihatan Kajang and Klinik Kesihatan Bangi are classified as urban, while Klinik Kesihatan Batu 9 and Klinik Kesihatan Balakong are classified as suburban. These clinics were selected due to their geographic and demographic similarity, coupled with variability in socioeconomic, educational, cultural, and attitudinal factors. This selection ensures a balanced representation of diverse populations, enhancing the generalizability and applicability of the study findings. The approach is particularly valuable for comprehensively understanding the factors that influence vaccine knowledge and uptake among pregnant mothers.

Random Allocation of Clinics Random Assignment: One clinic from each category (urban and suburban) will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group using an online random number generator. This method ensures unbiased allocation and maintains the balance of geographic representation in both groups.

The rationale for Randomization is to minimise contamination. Randomizing at the clinic level (cluster randomization) rather than at the individual level will help reduce the risk of contamination, where participants in the same clinic may share information or influence each other's behaviour. By assigning entire clinics to either intervention or control, the study ensures that participants within each clinic receive consistent and isolated exposure to the educational materials or standard care.

3.2 Sample Size

The sample size is 351 participants, accounting for a 20% non-response rate. This is based on expected uptake rates of 55% in the intervention group and 36% in the control group.

3.3 Data Collection

A validated, adapted questionnaire will be used in this study to assess vaccine-related knowledge, attitudes, future uptake intentions, and factors influencing vaccination decisions.

3.4 Statistical Analysis

Primary Outcome: Knowledge improvement, analyzed via paired t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests.

Secondary Outcomes: Logistic regression for factors associated with low uptake intentions.

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant women aged 18 years and older
• Before or equal to 32 weeks of gestation as we need to follow-up the patients again at 36 weeks of gestation before delivery occurs.
• Able to understand and consent to participation in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women with severe anaphylactic or allergic reactions to previous dose of influenza or Tdap vaccination.
• Non-Malaysian