FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS FOR COVID 19 VACCINE IN PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE

There has been remarkable progress in vaccine research and development in recent years. Yet there is still considerable hesitancy in its uptake in the pregnant population. The purpose of this study is to understand the factors which facilitate and those which act as barriers to Covid vaccination in pregnant patients.

 

DESIGN

All pregnant and postpartum patients were asked to participate in this cross-sectional study.

 

METHOD

Data were recorded on a pre-designed research questionnaire. Sample size was calculated using Open Epi version 3.01. Non-probability consecutive sampling was done. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.

 

RESULTS:

A total of 300 participants were enrolled. Sixty-six (21.6%) participants responded that Covid vaccine is either not safe or they are not sure regarding its safety during pregnancy. One fifty-nine (51.9%) participants responded that Covid vaccination is either not safe or they are unsure regarding its safety during breast feeding. Two hundred fifteen (70.3%) subjects responded that Covid vaccine protects against severe Covid disease while eighty-two (26.8%) responded that it protects against Covid infection. Thirty-five (15.4%) participants mentioned that they face difficulty in getting Covid vaccine. One hundred ninety-four (84.6%) were satisfied with the vaccination center services.

 

CONCLUSION:

Despite mass awareness regarding Covid, about one third of the patients were of the opinion that Covid vaccination is either not safe or were unaware about its safety during pregnancy and lactation, due to lack of trials and researches of Covid vaccination during pregnancy. Further efforts are needed to increase awareness regarding Covid vaccination safety especially during pregnancy and lactation.