Pregnant women’s knowledge and practice of preventive measures against COVID-19: a study from Mysore city, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: The presently ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has not spared any segment of society including pregnant women. It is absolutely essential that pregnant mothers and their caregivers be fully aware of accurate facts about COVID-19. Objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of preventive measures against COVID-19 infection among pregnant women of Mysore City.Methods: This was a cross sectional study, conducted among pregnant women attending prenatal care at a tertiary care centre. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire administered via google form to consenting pregnant women. The variables assessed were knowledge about aetiology, mode of spread and preventive measures to protect against COVID-19. Data was also collected on socio-demographic characteristics, which included age, parity, marital status, residence, occupation, participant’s education, husband’s education.Results: Out of the 93 responders, majority 71 (76.3%) were in the age group 20-30 years. 17 (18.3%) were in the 30-40 years age group. Regarding number of children 41 (44.1%) had one child 16 (17.2%) had 2 children and 32 (34.3%) were primigravida. With respect to educational status 70 (75.26%) were having graduate degree. 19 (20.4%) were non graduates, but had completed high school. Educational level of the husbands of the respondents was along similar lines with 62 (66.66%) having completed graduation, and 28 (30.1%) had completed high school. 91(97.8%) respondents were correct in identifying virus as the cause of COVID-19. 88 (94.6%) rightly chose mode of spread by sneezing or cough. 1 (0.1%) respondent wrongly indicated that injections were the mode of spread. Main symptoms cough and fever were correctly identified by 80 (86%) respondents. The practice of preventive medicine was low with respect to all aspects of covid prevention. Only 27 (29.7%) were following frequent washing recommendation. Only 26 (28.6%) were following staying indoors advise. 28 (30.8%) of the respondents were wearing masks. However, 82 (90.1%) were following at least one of the preventive measures. There was a positive association of age and knowledge about covid causation. Respondents of higher age group having more correct answers than those of lower age groups.Conclusions: The knowledge levels of pregnant women were satisfactory However this was not translated into practice by majority of the respondents.

Compliance with COVID-19 Preventive Measures and Associated Factors Among Women Attending Antenatal Care at Public Health Facilities of Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia

“…Pregnant women should have good compliance with COVID-19 to prevent risk of contracting the virus and the adverse maternal and fetal outcomes from the virus. 36 , 37 This study revealed that 222 (56.1%) (95% CI: 51.8, 61.3) of pregnant women had good compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures which is lower than the studies conducted in Guraghe, Ethiopia 76.2%, 30 India (67.7–92.7%), 38 , 39 South Africa (76%), 40 and low-resource African settings (69.7%). 33 The possible variation might be the difference in socio-cultural and demographic characteristics, study setting, and study participants.…”

“…This is supported by the study conducted in India, and Debre Tabor; educational status was associated with the level of Knowledge, attitude towards COVID-19 preventive measures and practice. 29 , 38 This could be due to an educated husband being likely to exposed to COVID-19 information via mass media, social media, and others; finally, will influence positively his wife to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures.…”

Knowledge, perception, and behavior of pregnant women against COVID-19 transmission

“…Besides, to reduce the risk of infection in the antenatal participant population should carry further education should be carried out to convey the importance of observing recommended practices to reduce contractions and transmission of COVID-19. Research conducted by Shivanagappal [21], Awad et al [25], Nwafor et al [26], Aghababaei et al [27], Alemu Degu et al [28] also found that the knowledge of pregnant women about the transmission of COVID-19 was high. On the other hand, research conducted by Fikadu et al [29] and Ayele et al [30] found that the knowledge and practice of pregnant women regarding COVID-19 were poor.…”

“…Knowledge is a crucial thing in all areas of human endeavor. In the project of preventing and treating coronavirus infections, the community needs to know entirely and precisely about these new viral infections because misleading information spread through social media can lead the public to wrong actions [21]. It is crucial to increase knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in the general public, especially pregnant women, especially in the current period of rising cases of COVID-19 [32].…”

“…The objective measurement of the instrument is divided into two categories, namely high or good if the score is ≥5 and low or less if the score is <5 [20]. Knowledge, perceptions, and behavior questionnaires are taken from Shivangappa [21]…”