Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Factors determining knowledge and preventive practice of COVID 19 pandemic among pregnant women at public health facilities: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Mamaru Fetene*, Addisu Andualem Ferede and Keralem Anteneh Bishaw

Background: Due to their dread of this pandemic, which directly threatens both the mother's and baby's health, most pregnant women skip out on their prenatal appointments and deliveries at medical facilities.

Objectives: Assessing knowledge, preventive practice, and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care towards COVID-19 at public health facilities of east Gojjam zone, 2020.

Methods: Between December 1 and December 30, 2020, 847 pregnant women participated in a multi-center cross sectional study. The sampling process involved multiple stages. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data, which were then input into Epi Data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. To investigate the relationships between knowledge, COVID-19 prevention practices, and predictor variables, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used. Statistical significance was determined using an odds ratio with a 95 percent confidence level and a P-value of 0.05.

Results: Of 806 study participants, 416 (51.6%) 95% CI (48.15, 55.05), and 354 (43.9%) with 95% CI (40.47, 47.33). of pregnant women had adequate knowledge and good preventive practice against COVID-19 pandemic respectively. Urban residents (AOR=1.91, 95 CI: 1.30-2.79), civil servant (AOR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.20-4.37), secondary school and college and above (AOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.14 - 3.40), and (AOR= 2.97, 95% CI: 1.56 - 5.65), favorable attitude (AOR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.51-2.91) were the predictors of knowledge towards Corona virus infection. Urban residents (AOR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.07-2.22), civil servant (AOR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.02 - 3.20), merchant (AOR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.16 - 2.99), and employed in private (AOR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.07 - 3.64), had medical problems (AOR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.07-2.65), adequate knowledge (AOR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.23-2.28) and favorable attitude (AOR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.26-2.42) were positively associated factors against Corona virus pandemic.

Conclusions and recommendations: Attendees at ANC had a generally adequate level of general awareness of pregnant women, but there was a poor application of these COVID-19 prevention strategies. To break the chain of transmission, increased education and implementation of preventive measures will be necessary. Continuous mass media program mobilization and health education for people with medical issues, no formal education, housewives, and rural residents should be taken into account.

Published Date: 2023-07-25; Received Date: 2023-06-22