SURVEY OF COVID-19 VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN MUEANG DISTRICT, PHITSANULOK PROVINCE

Abstract

Abstract

          This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study.  The objectives were to study the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province and to study the reasons for receiving and not receiving vaccines among pregnant women.

The sample consisted of pregnant women aged 18 years and over who received prenatal care services at the prenatal clinics in hospitals or subdistrict health promoting hospitals in Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province.  Data were collected by telephone interviewing between January and April 2022.  The interview form together with age, education, occupation, gestational age, number of pregnancy, congenital diseases, history of COVID-19 infection, and history of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant.  Including reasons for receiving and not receiving the vaccine.  Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.  The results of the study found 250 pregnant women most were 18 - 29 years old (47.60%), with an average age of 30 years (SD = 6), 51.60 percent of education less than a bachelor's degree, 54.00 percent were employed, had an average pregnancy period of 24 weeks (SD = 5).  Most were pregnant for the second time (55.60%), most had no underlying disease (85.60%).  They had a history of COVID-19 infection 28.80 percent, most were infected before pregnancy (80.56%).  They had received the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy only 33.20 percent.  The main reason for receiving the vaccine is the advice from medical and public health personnel 60.24 percent, 21.69 percent to protect the fetus, and 18.07 percent to protect themselves.  Beside the reason of reject receiving the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant, most were afraid of harm to the unborn child (42.51%), were infected with COVID-19 before pregnancy (34.73%), and did not know that they needed to be vaccinated (14.37%).  

Conclusion COVID-19 vaccine coverage among pregnant women was 33.20 percent.  Vaccination coverage levels can be increased based on recommendations from medical and public health personnel.  This should increase public relations and create knowledge and understanding about the disease.  Risk and severity of disease among pregnant women for deciding to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Keywords : Vaccination Coverage  Pregnant women  COVID-19 Vaccine