Original Article | |
COVID-19 Guidelines Adherence and Vaccine Acceptability Among Pregnant Women in Niger Foundation Hospital Enugu, South-Eastern Nigeria: A Mixed Method Study | |
Ijeoma Victoria Ezeome1,2,3 Fausta Chioma Emegoakor1,2,3, Theophilus Ogochukwu Nwankwo1,2,3, Chidinma Ifechi Onwuka1,2,3 | |
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu Nigeria 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Niger Foundations Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Enugu, Nigeria |
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IJWHR 2024; 12: 021-032 DOI: 10.15296/ijwhr.2023.8009 Viewed : 1371 times Downloaded : 1568 times. Keywords : COVID-19, Pregnancy, Vaccine uptake, Protocol, Precautionary measures |
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Abstract | |
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the acceptability of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and adherence to the preventive protocol among pregnant antenatal attendees in Niger Foundations Hospital Enugu, South-Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional descriptive survey and in-depth interviews, we conducted a mixed method study from June to December 2021. We administered a structured questionnaire to 210 pregnant women to assess their knowledge and adherence to COVID-19 guidelines and interviewed 25 individuals. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS v.28 and thematic analysis, respectively. Results: The participants’ age range was 20-43 years, with a mean of 29.9 (4.8) years. Most individuals (81.9%) had a university degree, 40.5% were skilled workers, and 73.3% had parity 0-1. They identified close contact (87.1%), respiratory distress (96.2%), and handwashing with soap (96.2%) as the commonest mode of transmission, symptom, and preventive strategy of COVID-19, respectively. Older women and individuals with higher parity had lower knowledge and adherence to COVID-19 precautions. Most participants rejected the vaccines due to fear of the side effects on themselves and the fetus. Conclusions: Although there was good adherence to COVID-19 protocols among the pregnant women in this study, vaccine acceptance/uptake rate was low. Education on vaccine advantages and correction of conspiracy theories are recommended. |
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