COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in A Tertiary Health Institution In South-Western, Nigeria – Decisions And Lessons Learnt COVID-19 Vaccine uptake among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic Section Original Articles

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 infection is a pandemic of global public health importance. COVID-19 vaccination was rapidly adopted and shown to be an important strategy to control the spread of the disease. However, pregnant women were reluctant to receive the vaccines for various reasons. This study assessed the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women and the willingness of the unvaccinated women to receive the vaccine during or after pregnancy.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted using pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires among antenatal clinic attendees from 1^st October to 31^st December 2022. Information obtained includes socio-demographic data, COVID-19 vaccination history, acceptance among the unvaccinated, and COVID-19 prevention measures. Data was analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 25.0 software (IBM Inc. New York, United States). Level of significance was p<0.05.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 31.55 years (SD ±5.522). About 48.5% of participants were vaccinated against COVID-19 before the index pregnancy. Participants’ occupation (p= 0.001), and parity (p=0.024) were associated with pre-pregnancy vaccination. There was a significant association between the level of education and willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (p=0.015). About 14.4% and 21.0% of the unvaccinated participants were willing to be vaccinated during- and after pregnancy respectively. The reason for remaining unvaccinated in pregnancy was predominantly due to vaccine unavailability (1.1%).

Conclusion: This study revealed that the vaccine uptake and willingness to accept the vaccine during- and after pregnancy was poor. Health education, intensified vaccination campaigns and increased availability to the pregnant population will improve vaccine uptake and coverage.