Factors associated with willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women at Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: A multicenter institution-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease has spread worldwide since late 2019. Vaccination is critical in controlling this pandemic. However, vaccine acceptance among pregnant women is not well-studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021. About 510 study subjects were selected using a systematic random sampling technique from August 25 to September 10/2021. Data collection was done by using an interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. Epi-info 7.2 was used to enter data and then exported to SPSS version 25 software for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Variables with a p-value < 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were entered into the multivariable analysis to control for possible confounders. Statistical significance is determined using an adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) at a p-value of < 0.05. Results Of 510 participants, 211 (41.4%) were willing to take COVID-19 vaccines. Maternal age ≥ 35 years (AOR: 5.678, 95% CI: 1.775–18.166), having contact history with COVID-19 diagnosed people (AOR: 7.724, 95% CI: 2.183, 27.329), having a pre-existing chronic disease (AOR: 3.131, 95% CI: 1.700–5.766), good knowledge about COVID-19 vaccine (AOR: 2.391, 95% CI: 1.144, 4.998) and good attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine (AOR: 2.128, 95% CI: 1.348) were significantly associated with the outcome variable. Conclusions The willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant mothers was low. Age, contact history with COVID-19 diagnosed people, chronic disease, knowledge, and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine were factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine willingness. To enhance the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, the government with different stakeholders should strengthen public education about the importance of getting COVID-19 vaccine.

Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Decision-Making Behaviors among Pregnant Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

“…The characteristics of the included studies are described in Table 1 . All the included studies were observational studies [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ], with most ( n = 8) incorporating a cross-sectional study design [ 34 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 45 ]. There was one prospective cohort study, two qualitative research studies, and three mixed-methods studies.…”

“…Vaccine Acceptability/Hesitancy: Eleven of the 14 studies assessed COVID-19 vaccination acceptability [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. While other studies also assessed COVID-19 vaccination willingness and uptake, five studies examined vaccine acceptance as the only outcome.…”

“…Overall, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates among pregnant women ranged from 18.5% (35) to 70.7% [ 42 ] in Ethiopia, 33.8% in Nigeria [ 40 ], and 31% in Cameroon [ 38 ]. Factors associated with vaccine acceptance/hesitancy included mistrust in health systems [ 34 , 43 ], perceived risk of COVID-19 infection [ 34 , 40 ], knowledge [ 35 , 36 , 42 ], attitudes [ 36 , 45 , 46 ], vaccine efficacy [ 35 , 40 ], and fear of adverse effects [ 43 ].…”

“…The most common psychosocial factors assessed in the studies were knowledge/awareness ( n = 7) and attitudes ( n = 9). A few studies reported using validated scales to measure the various variables of knowledge and attitudes [ 36 , 42 ]. In most studies, participants had accurate knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 42 ].…”

“…A few studies reported using validated scales to measure the various variables of knowledge and attitudes [ 36 , 42 ]. In most studies, participants had accurate knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 42 ]. In a few studies, positive attitudes and knowledge were associated with vaccine acceptance [ 36 ].…”