Abstract:
Objectives: We sought to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of
pregnant women regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy in seven low- and
middle-income countries (LMIC).
Design: Prospective, observational, population-based study.
Settings: Study areas in seven LMICs: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Guatemala,
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya and Zambia Population: Pregnant women in an ongoing registry.
Methods: COVID-19 vaccine questionnaires were administered to pregnant women
in the Global Network's Maternal Newborn Health Registry from February 2021
through November 2021 in face-to-face interviews.
Main outcome measures: Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding vaccination
during pregnancy; vaccination status.
Results: No women were vaccinated except for small proportions in India (12.9%) and
Guatemala (5.5%). Overall, nearly half the women believed the COVID-19 vaccine
is very/somewhat effective and a similar proportion believed that the COVID-19
vaccine is safe for pregnant women. With availability of vaccines, about 56.7% said
they would get the vaccine and a 34.8% would refuse. Of those who would not get
vaccinated, safety, fear of adverse effects, and lack of trust predicted vaccine refusal.
Those with lower educational status were less willing to be vaccinated. Family
members and health professionals were the most trusted source of information for
vaccination.
Conclusions: This COVID-19 vaccine survey in seven LMICs found that knowledge
about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine was generally low but varied.
Concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness among pregnant women is an
important target for educational efforts to increase vaccination rates