Pregnant women’s opinions on universal screening for COVID-19 during hospital admission: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate pregnant women’s opinions on universal screening for COVID-19 during hospital admission. Methods: Between 1 September 2020 and 24 November 2020 in the antenatal ward and labour ward of United Christian Hospital, a self-administrated questionnaire (in Chinese and English) on universal screening was distributed to all obstetric patients upon admission (or after delivery). Results: Of 600 questionnaires distributed, 520 (86.7%) were returned. Of these, 11 were excluded owing to missing answers and 509 were included in analysis. All respondents had negative results of COVID-19. 98.4% of the women agreed with universal screening for all obstetric patients on admission. 69.0%, 73.9%, and 72.1% of women considered that a negative COVID-19 result would have a positive effect on their own care, their baby’s care, and their family, respectively, with 82.1% feeling more ready to breastfeed and 84.9% feeling more at ease to look after their babies after delivery. 97.2% thought that all staff in the obstetric ward should have COVID-19 screening. A logistic regression model showed that women with tertiary education or above (odds ratio [OR]=2.361, p<0.001) and with emergency admission (rather than elective admission) [OR=1.686, p=0.018] were more likely to believe that a negative screening result would have positive effects on her care, whereas women with tertiary education or above (OR=3.615, p<0.001) were more likely to believe that a negative result would have a positive impact on their baby’s care. Conclusion: Universal screening for COVID-19 on admission is well supported by obstetric patients.