COVID-19 Vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women: A facility-based cross-sectional study in Imphal, Manipur

Vaccine hesitancy has been recognized as a public health issue which needs to be addressed urgently. Pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. An assessment of the determinants of vaccine hesitancy will aid in the acceleration of vaccine administration among pregnant women.

The present study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women in Imphal, Manipur and assess associated factors.

Across-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a Tertiary Care Institute in Imphal, Manipur during August 2021. One hundred and sixty-three pregnant women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire over phone calls. Univariate analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the factors significantly associated with vaccine acceptance.

The mean age of the participants was 28.3 ± 5.5 years and majority, 102 (62.6%) were multigravida and 27 (16.6%) had comorbidities. Vaccine hesitancy was found in 127 (77.9%) participants. Logistic regression analysis indicated that awareness on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility (P = 0.002), disagreement of vaccine being unsafe during pregnancy (P = 0.005), and agreement on vaccine benefiting the baby (P = 0.003) were the significant predictors of vaccine acceptance.

Nearly four out of every five pregnant women had COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Pregnant women should be informed about the benefits and encouraged to take COVID-19 vaccine.