Factors Associated with Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Pregnant Women: Finding from a Tertiary Care Facility in Maharashtra.

BACKGROUND

Gender inequality influences access to and demand for healthcare services including vaccines. The gender gap in the COVID-19 vaccine coverage doesn't account for the skewed male-female ratio in India. The pandemic response has failed to recognize the barriers faced by women in accessing healthcare. These barriers are intensified in the case of pregnant women who are considered as a high-risk group for COVID-19 infection. The present study was aimed to examine the factors influencing the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women.

METHODS

The study was carried out in the Department of OBGY, GMCH, Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Pregnant women above 18 years who had at least one antenatal visit were considered for the purpose of the study. Women who consented to participate in the study were administered a survey questionnaire by a healthcare provider which included a demographic, socio-economic, and obstetric profile of pregnant women, knowledge and attitude toward vaccines, and gender-related barriers. The chi-square test and independent t test were done to identify the factors influencing the uptake of the vaccine.

RESULTS

About 22% of the women had not taken the vaccine (100 out of 444). Factors like age, residence, and education of women were not found to be associated with the uptake of vaccines. Husband's education was found to be significantly associated ( < 0.05) with vaccine uptake. The presence of complications during pregnancy also significantly deterred women from taking the vaccine. Concerns about the safety of the vaccine, side effects for the fetus, and negative opinions of family members about the vaccine were also found to be associated with non-uptake of the vaccine by pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare providers during antenatal care can play an important role by addressing concerns regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women.