Insight, Knowledge and Vaccination Against COVID-19 Among Pregnant Women in Two Tertiary Hospitals Southeast Nigeria, Four Years After Onset of the Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals located in ababkaliki the capital city of Ebonyi State. These are referral centers that served the state and the neighboring states. Methods: This was a prospective study in which pregnant women accessing antenatal care in the centers were consecutively recruited till the sample size was obtained. Information on sociodemographic characteristics like age, gravidity, occupation, Religion and educational level were obtained. Insight, awareness and vaccination of COVID-19 Disease also obtained were obtained. The aim of the study was clearly explained to the women and informed consent was signed prior to recruitment into the study. The exclusion criterion was those who did not sign consent. Results: A total of 250 pregnant women who consented were recruited into the study. The mean age was 30.2 (SD 5.3) and ranged between 18yers to 44 years. The highest age group was 30 to 39years (55.2%) followed by those aged between 20 to 29 years (40%). The median gravidity of the respondents was 2.6 (SD 2.0) and ranged between 1 to 7. Majority were traders (34.4%) followed by civil servants (19.2%), thirdly students (16.0) and self-employed (13.2%). Most of them (98.3%) were Christians while 96.4% had tertiary education (62.8%). The awareness of COVID-19 was high but very poor knowledge of spread 18.8% and preventive measures 20.8%. Vaccine uptake was low 21.2% with major reason being fear of side effect (22.4) though 36% gave no reason while some believed vaccine is a scam. Conclusion: There was high insight of COVID-19 disease among these pregnant women but very poor knowledge of its mode of spread and preventive measures as well as very low uptake of anti-COVID-19 vaccines 4 years on from the onset of the pandemic.