The attitudes of pregnant or breastfeeding polish women towards COVID-19 vaccinations: a cross-sectional survey study.

Abstract

Objectives: Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe course of COVID-19. The vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended in pregnant and breastfeeding women. The aim of the study was to assess the attitude towards vaccination against COVID-19 among Polish pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey study was performed from April 20th, 2021, to October 23rd, 2021, using an online questionnaire distributed via social media. Women who weren't Polish or didn't live in Poland were excluded from the study.

Results: The study group consisted of 662 women. Their median age was 32.5 years (interquartile range IQR: 27.25-33.75 years). Most of the women lived in acity with over 500000 inhabitants (333/662, 50.30%), were in a relationship (658/662, 99.40%), had higher education (559/662, 84.44%), were currently employed (326/662, 49.25%), but not in a medical field (574/662, 86.71%). Willingness to be vaccinated was expressed in 231/662 (34.89%) of the surveyed women. A positive attitude towards vaccinations was more common among women working in the medical field (p = 0.006679), with higher education (p = 0.000054), who trusted their doctors (p = 0.003900), thought that vaccines against COVID-19 were effective (p < 0.00001), and those afraid of COVID-19 (p < 0.00001).

Conclusions: The study showed that only one third of the surveyed women wanted to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Women working in the medical field, with higher education, who trusted their doctors, thought that vaccines against COVID-19 were effective, and those afraid of COVID-19 were more prone to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with recommended vaccines. Educational role of healthcare workers might be crucial for increasing the COVID-19 vaccine coverage in pregnant and breastfeeding women.