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

Background: 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.

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

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.