Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Pregnant Women and Affecting Factors: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coro- navirus-2 virus is transmitted from person to person through contact, droplets, and airborne particles. The vaccine is effective in controlling the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Pregnant women due to changes in their bodies are vulnerable to infectious diseases, some of which can be prevented by vaccination. This study, it was aimed to examine the hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women and the factors affecting it. Material and Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of all pregnant women aged 15-49 years who applied to Mardin Training and Research Hospital. The con- venience sampling method was used in the study, and all pregnant women (n=211) who applied to the hospital between October 10, 2022- December 23, 2022, met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study constituted the sample of the study. The data was collected using the “questionnaire form” and the “Vaccine Hesitancy Scale.” Cronbach alpha value of the scale was found to be 0.790. and the total mean score was found to be 61.24±11.63 it was determined that the pregnant women had a “moderate” level of hesitancy to vaccination. Results: It has been concluded that the husband’s education status, the gestation week, the number of pregnancies, the presence of chronic pa- tients in the household, and the history of abortion were effective on the vaccine hesitancy in the pregnant woman.Conclusion: Pregnant women should be informed more about vaccination and encouraged to be vac- cinated. More studies on the subject are needed.