Pregnant women's knowledge of and attitudes toward pertussis, influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.

Background: Good oral health of pregnant women is important for their own health and the health of the fetus and can reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy. The development of early childhood caries is associated with the transfer of bacteria from the mother's oral cavity, and there is a need to promote oral health during pregnancy and the perinatal period. Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate attitudes and knowledge regarding oral health and infant oral health among pregnant women. Materials and methods: The study involved 130 pregnant women in the Republic of North Macedonia who completed an anonymous online questionnaire (Google Forms) from January to June 2022. The questionnaire was divided into three parts. The first part contained questions about the general demographic data of the respondents and their own experience with oral health in pregnancy. The second part was related to the knowledge of the relationship between oral health and pregnancy. The third section consisted of questions related to knowledge about the oral health of children at the earliest age. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: The study involved 130 pregnant 19 to 42-year-old women. The women are most informed about oral health in pregnancy from their dentists (30.8 %), but least from doctors of family medicine (3.1%). In pregnancy, gingival bleeding was observed by 60.8 % of respondents, and tooth mobility by 22.3 %. The chi-square test found that there was a difference in attitude regarding the age at which they should stop breastfeeding between respondents who had their first pregnancy and those who already had children (Chi-square value =13.216, p = 0.004, p < 0.05). Only 20.5 % of respondents are aware that breastfeeding can cause tooth decay. Linear regression analysis showed that pregnant women's knowledge about the association between pregnancy and periodontal diseases is statistically significantly positively associated with their gynecologist's advice to visit a dentist (β = 1.282, p ≤ 0.001). In addition, pregnant women's knowledge about children's oral health is statistically significantly negatively associated with women already having children (β = -0.693, p = 0.043). Conclusion: Pregnant women in the Republic of North Macedonia do not have sufficient knowledge, and they are neither aware of the importance of oral health during pregnancy nor infant oral health.

Breastfeeding is an important practice in Egypt from the first day of childbirth by giving colostrum milk. Colostrum is contained large amounts of IgA antibodies that promoting health, reducing diarrheal disease among neonates, and providing excellent immune support. Aim: To evaluate the effect of instructional guidelines on pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding colostrum feeding. Design: Quasi-experimental research design was conducted in this study. Setting: The current study was conducted at the Antenatal Outpatient Clinic at South Valley University Hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample included 100 pregnant womenwere enrolled in the study. One tool was used, a structured interview questionnaire composed of: part I Sociodemographic characteristics: part II: Pregnant women's knowledge assessment sheet about colostrum feeding, part III: Pregnant women's attitude towards colostrum feeding and part IV: Pregnant women's practices of colostrum feeding. Results: Most women did not have knowledge about the importance of colostrum and unsatisfactory level of knowledge toward colostrum feeding was reported, negative attitudes and inadequate practices among pregnant women for colostrum feeding were presented by the studied women pre instructional guidelines implementation. Meanwhile, knowledge, attitude, and practices of the pregnant women had improved post one month of the guidelines implementation. Conclusion: Instructional guidelines were effective in improving pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding colostrum feeding. Recommendations: Educational programs about colostrum feeding should be taught and discussed in the antenatal care follow-up visits to all mothers.

Knowledge is the result of knowing, which occurs after a person perceives an object. Attitude refers to views, opinions, or feelings toward a specific object, person, or event. Antenatal care (ANC) refers to pregnancy check-ups and is defined as prenatal monitoring, primarily aimed at the growth and development of the fetus in the womb. Based on field observations, the researcher found that pregnant women who rarely or do not attend ANC visits often experience complications during pregnancy, postpartum complications, babies born with low birth weight (LBW), preterm births, and pregnant women only seek healthcare services when problems arise in their pregnancy. Additionally, there are still pregnant women who deliver with the assistance of traditional birth attendants or midwives in the village. This study aims to determine the relationship between pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes with ANC visits in the working area of Bapinang Health Center. Research Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. The instrument used was a questionnaire, and the data were analyzed using the Chi-Square statistical test, with 34 pregnant women as respondents. Results: The study found a significant relationship between pregnant women's knowledge and ANC visits with a p-value of 0.001 < 0.05, meaning that H1 is accepted. It can be concluded that there is a relationship between knowledge and ANC visits in the working area of Bapinang Health Center. Similarly, the attitude variable had a p-value of 0.004 < 0.05, so H2 is accepted. It can be concluded that there is a relationship between pregnant women's attitudes and ANC visits in the working area of Bapinang Health Center. Conclusion: This study concludes that there is a relationship between pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes with ANC visits in the working area of Bapinang Health Center.

There are major health benefits to physical exercise during pregnancy for mothers and newborns. However, physical inactivity during pregnancy varies worldwide, but it is more common during the third trimester of pregnancy. A positive attitude toward antenatal exercise can reduce physical inactivity. This study aimed to evaluate pregnant women's knowledge and attitude toward physical exercise during pregnancy and to find out the relationship between pregnant women's knowledge and attitude. This is a descriptive study utilizing a non-probability purposive sample of 200 women. The data were collected by distributing a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 37 questions for knowledge and 15 questions for attitude. This study was conducted from October 2021 to November 2022. The higher percentage of women's age was 20-24 years, and 30% graduated from primary school. Nearly two-thirds of them were in the second trimester. More than one-third of them have two to three living children. Nearly two-thirds of women have poor knowledge levels about physical exercise during pregnancy, but most of them have a positive attitude. There is a significant relationship between pregnant women's knowledge and attitude. This study indicated that most of the study sample had poor knowledge regarding physical exercise during pregnancy. However, they have a positive attitude toward physical exercise during pregnancy.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, vaccination is a key factor in reducing the severity and transmission of the disease, especially in the vulnerable population, which includes pregnant women. Currently, various policies are in place to promote the vaccination of pregnant women against COVID-19; however, some pregnant women decline vaccination. To study pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and acceptance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women who received antenatal care at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Pregnant women who received antenatal care at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University from November 2021 to April 2022 were included. The participants answered an online questionnaire through their electronic devices. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the data. A total of 500 pregnant women participated in this study. Among them, 67.4% and 81.4% had great knowledge and a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine, respectively, with scores of 80% or higher in each section. Of the 500 participants, 468 (93.6%) accepted to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. After adjusting for certain variables through multivariate analysis, the factor associated with the decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was having great knowledge about the vaccine (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 13.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.45-71.61). However, the most significant factor associated with the decision to reject the COVID-19 vaccine was the recent COVID-19 infection (adjusted OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.62). The COVID-19 pandemic presents severe and life-threatening conditions for both pregnant women and their fetuses. The majority of the pregnant women in this study had great knowledge and acceptance of the vaccine and a positive attitude toward it. The pregnant women who had prior knowledge of the vaccine tended to accept to receive it during pregnancy, whereas those who recently contracted COVID-19 were hesitant to receive the vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy.

Pregnant women's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward physical exercise during pregnancy and its associated factors at Dessie town health institutions, Ethiopia

In the realm of antenatal care, vaccinations serve as a cornerstone, crucial for safeguarding the health of both the mother and the fetus, while also extending protection to the newborn against communicable diseases. Nevertheless, vaccine adherence among pregnant women remains very low. The aim of our study was to evaluate the uptake of vaccines (influence, pertussis, and COVID-19) among women during pregnancy and to understand pregnant women's knowledge of vaccines and the diseases they protect against. The purpose was to investigate the reasons why pregnant women chose not to be vaccinated and to develop effective strategies for informing them about the importance of vaccination for both maternal and fetal safety. A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, "Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia" in Udine, from 1 December 2021 to 30 June 2022. During this period, a self-completed paper questionnaire was administered to women at the end of pregnancy or during the puerperium. A total of 161 questionnaires were collected. Higher educational level was found to be significantly associated with influenza vaccination uptake (p = 0.037, OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.05-4.51). Similarly, for pertussis vaccination, adherence was mainly associated with higher educational level (p = 0.014, OR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.24-6.47), but also with Italian nationality (p = 0.003, OR = 3.36, 95% CI 1.56-8.43) and pregnancy attended by a midwife or private gynecologist (p = 0.028, OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.17-0.90). Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, the only factor positively influencing uptake was Italian nationality (p = 0.044, OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.03-6.91). Women's fear that vaccines would endanger the fetus appeared to be the most important reason for refusing vaccinations. Simultaneously, patients also exhibited a desire to receive more information about maternal vaccination, particularly from their general physician or gynecologist. For this reason, it is imperative to enhance maternal vaccination counselling, making it a routine step in prenatal care from the first antenatal visit until the postpartum period.

Influenza vaccination during prenatal care protects the pregnant woman, the fetus and the newborns in the first 6 months of life, being of utmost importance. The aim of the study was to investigate pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding influenza vaccination. A systematic literature review was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022315929). Six scientific databases were used as primary sources (PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Web of Science, EMBASE and LILACS) and three databases (ProQuest, LIVIVO and Google Scholar) were searched to partially select the "gray literature". Only cross-sectional studies evaluating pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding influenza vaccine, without year and language restriction were included. The search resulted in 2,135 studies, of which 16 met the eligibility criteria. Overall, the studies showed that the knowledge and belief regarding the efficacy and safety of the influenza vaccine is low. Thus, educational actions aimed at pregnant women, family members, and health professionals involved in prenatal care are fundamental to raise awareness about the importance of and adherence to influenza vaccination.

Pregnant women's knowledge and awareness of nutrition

Prioritise research on vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding women

Background: Good oral health during pregnancy can not only improve the health of pregnant women but also potentially the health of newborn. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nursing intervention on oral health knowledge, attitude, and health behaviors among pregnant women. Design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized. Sample: A purposive sample of 188 pregnant women was recruited according to inclusion criteria. The sample was allocated to study and control groups (94 women in each group). Setting: The study was conducted at obstetric s and gynecology outpatient clinic affiliated to Benha University Hospital. Tools of data collection: 1) a structured interviewing questionnaire which consisted of three parts; demographic characteristics, obstetric history, and pregnant women's knowledge regarding oral health. 2) Pregnant women's attitude towards oral health questionnaire. 3) Pregnant women's oral health behaviors sheet. Results: The majority of both groups had poor knowledge and negative attitude regarding oral health. In addition, there were no significant differences in health behaviors scores between both groups (P ˃ 0.05) before intervention. However, one month after intervention, 84.0% of the study group had good knowledge compared with 0.0% of the control group, 78.7% of the study group had positive attitude and only 6.4% of the control group. The health behaviors scores were significantly higher in the study group than the control (P<0.001). Conclusion: There is positive effect of nursing intervention in improving the pregnant women's knowledge, attitude as well as health behaviors regarding oral health. Recommendations: Provision of oral health education for pregnant women during antenatal care in order to highlight the importance of good oral health.

Background: Corona virus is one of the major pathogens that mainly target the respiratory system of humans. Pregnant women considered to be a special population group because of the unique ‘immune suppression’ caused by pregnancy. The immunologic and physiologic changes might make pregnant women at higher risk of severe illness or mortality with Covid-19, compared with the general public. Aims of the study: To assess pregnant women’s knowledge and health behaviors concerning corona virus disease precaution measures at primary health care centers. Methodology: A descriptive (longitudinal study) has been carried out on Non-probability sample of (150) of pregnant who attend five primary health care centers. Study has been conducted for the period of 8 / February to 18 / March / 2020. The questionnaire has been used as a tool of data collection and consists of; Scio-demographic information, pregnant women history, and pregnant women’s knowledge and health behaviors concerning corona virus disease precaution measures. A pilot study conducted on (15) pregnant women to determine the study reliability, descriptive and inferential statistic approaches are used for data analysis. Results: The results of the current study indicate that (33.3%) of pregnant women are with age group (21-25) year, (28%) with age group (16-20), and (27.3%) with age group (26 -30) years. (22.7%) of study sample are graduated of intermediate school, (76.7%) of pregnant women are housewives, and (76%) of pregnant women are moderate monthly income, (34.7%) of pregnant women are gravid for (3) times, (81.4%) have (1-2) births, (53.3%) of pregnant women reporting they have normal vaginal delivery, Regarding women's knowledge the results indicates that pregnant women have fair level of knowledge about mechanism of spread of corona virus in (52.7%), and (28.7%) are showing good level of knowledge, and (18.7%) have poor levels. Regarding health behaviors pregnant women are showing fair level toward reduction of corona virus spread in (53.3%), (28%) have good level, and (18.7%) poor level. Conclusion: The study concludes that more than half of pregnant women have fair level of knowledge about mechanism of spread of corona virus, and health behaviors toward reduction of corona virus spread. Recommendations: The study suggests Health education programs to improve pregnant women's knowledge concerning COVID-19 are helpful for encouraging an optimistic attitudes and maintaining safe practices.

Objectives: ididentify the scores on the pregnant women’s knowledge on the signs of alert and labor and correlate the scores with the maternal age, number of children and the guidance they received during pregnancy. Methods: this is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach on pregnant women's previous knowledge of the signs of alert and labor performed with 100 pregnant women on their 30th week of gestation at the Hospital de Clínicas da UFTM (Clinical Hospital). The data collection was carried out from April to June 2016, using a semi-structured instrument tested as a pilot study. Results: only 21% of the pregnant women reported taking part in the pregnant women's group; 61% of them referred to not receiving any information on the signs of alert and labor. A statistically significant association was verified between the number of correct answers and the guidance they received during prenatal consultations. However, there was no correlation between the correct scores on maternal age and the number of children. Conclusions: the pregnant women who did not receive any kind of guidance, they had lower scores on the correct answers, which shows the importance of guiding them about Health Education during their prenatal consultations.

Objectives: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, particularly triple negative breast cancer. Yet black women, who are at greater risk of developing triple negative breast cancer, are the least likely racial group to breastfeed. Little is known about black women's knowledge of the link between breast cancer and breastfeeding. Given the link between BC and breastfeeding, among other benefits to breastfeeding, it is critical to understand why black women are the least likely racial group to breastfeed. The current study was designed to describe pregnant women's knowledge of the breastfeeding and breast cancer link and other psychosocial variables among three racial/ethnic groups (black, white and Hispanic). It is hypothesized that pregnant black women will have lower knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding, including knowledge about the link between breastfeeding and breast cancer than either white or Hispanic women. It is further hypothesized that, compared to other racial groups, black women will have lower intentions to breastfeed, poorer attitudes toward breastfeeding, lower self-efficacy, and lower levels of social influence/support to breastfeed. Methods: This research study was Institutional Review Board-approved and conducted in accordance with prevailing ethical principles. Pregnant women 18 years or older (N=93; 48.4% black; 28.0% Hispanic) were recruited during a prenatal visit at the OB/GYN practice of an urban hospital. The practice primarily serves underinsured women. The one-time, anonymous self-report survey was comprised of questions that captured each participant's socio-demographic information such as age, race/ethnicity, education level and income as well as their breastfeeding knowledge, intentions, attitudes, and social influences (i.e., baby's father, maternal/paternal grandmother opinion and preference for infant feeding). Results: Less than 40% of both black and white women were aware of the relationship between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction, in comparison to 64.7% of Hispanic women. The opinions of the baby's father and their doctor about breastfeeding were regarded the most important to black women. Contrary to our hypotheses, all women reported high intentions to breastfeed but most women indicated that they intended to breastfeed for less than 12 months. Black women also had the highest levels of positive breastfeeding attitudes and self-efficacy. Conclusions: The benefits of breastfeeding for long-term maternal health such as reduced risk of BC, including triple negative breast cancer in black women, have been documented in the literature; yet black women are least likely to breastfeed. The current study demonstrates that women have low knowledge about the link between BC and breastfeeding, particularly black and white women. These findings support the need for targeted interventions educating black women about the protective benefits of breastfeeding, particularly breast health, as a strategy to reduce their incidence and mortality of breast cancer. Despite our hypotheses, black women had higher rates of self-efficacy, breastfeeding attitudes, breastfeed intent, and medical mistrust. Future research efforts need to further explore why black women have the lowest breastfeeding rates, yet high rates of intentions, self-efficacy and attitudes about breastfeeding. Citation Format: Jamilia Sly, Sarah Miller, Rhoda Sperling, Fahimeh Sasan, Holly Loudon, Elizabeth Howell, Lina Jandorf. Racial/ethnic differences in pregnant women's knowledge of the relationship between breast cancer risk and breastfeeding. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B60.