Abstract
Background: Pertussis is a respiratory infection that represents a significant threat worldwide, especially for infants. The global incidence of pertussis is on the rise, with 20-40 million cases occurring every year. Maternal vaccination offers protection to newborns and, therefore, is recommended by numerous healthcare organizations. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the level of knowledge regarding pertussis and the pertussis vaccine, as well as the willingness to receive the vaccine among pregnant women, and identify the most significant reasons for vaccine hesitancy among the obstetric population. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases between 1 April 2024, and 31 July 2024. Our search strategy aimed to identify studies published from 1 January 2014 to July 2024 in order to capture a decade's worth of the most recent evidence and updates in maternal pertussis vaccination. Results: We screened 955 articles altogether, with 11 studies included in the analysis. The general awareness of pertussis infection prior to participation in the study varied from 5% in a study performed in Turkey to 95.9% in the Norwegian population. Moreover, the willingness to receive the vaccine ranged from 11.2% in the Turkish population to 94.8% in the Netherlands. Several statistically important factors affecting the decision have been identified, such as belief in safety and effectiveness, fear of adverse reactions, or healthcare professional recommendation. Conclusions: The general awareness regarding pertussis vaccine in pregnant women differs significantly depending on the population studied. However, it remains unsatisfactory even in populations with a high declared level of knowledge if asked specific questions. Presented results may indicate the need for studies on the efficacy of educational interventions for raising awareness about the meaning of pertussis immunization during pregnancy and preventing infection among neonates.