Knowledge, Attitudes, and Subjective Norms Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant Women in Kenya: An Online Cross-Sectional Pilot Study Using WhatsApp

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 21; no. 1; p. 98
• Main Authors: Ayieko, Sylvia, Jaoko, Walter, Opiyo, Rose Okoyo, Orang'o, Elkanah Omenge, Messiah, Sarah E, Baker, Kimberly, Markham, Christine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 16-01-2024
• Subjects: Attitudes; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 vaccines; COVID-19 Vaccines - therapeutic use; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Immunization; Kenya - epidemiology; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Vaccination; Womens health; Kenya; United States > US; vaccine hesitancy; maternal health; Kenya; COVID-19 vaccination coverage; WhatsApp; pregnancy
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010098

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been recommended, but the perceptions related to uptake remain unexplored. This pilot study aimed to explore how perceptions influence COVID-19 vaccine uptake among a sample of 115 pregnant women in Kenya, recruited via WhatsApp. Data were collected using an adapted online questionnaire between May and October 2022. Logistic analyses assessed the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination uptake and the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) constructs: attitudes and subjective norms. COVID-19 vaccination coverage was 73%, with vaccine hesitancy estimated at 41.4% among the unvaccinated group. Most participants had completed college education and had good knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines. There was no significant effect of enrollment in WhatsApp pregnancy groups on attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. Pregnant women were concerned about vaccine effectiveness (31.1%), and almost one-half (47.3%) were discouraged from receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Positive attitudes towards vaccination were associated with COVID-19 vaccination (aOR 2.81; 95% CI 1.12-7.04;
= 0.027), but no significant relationship was found between COVID-19 vaccination and strong subjective norms (influences to get COVID-19 vaccines). Our findings suggest that strategies to improve vaccination should consider targeting attitudes and proximal social networks (friends/family) to facilitate vaccination decision-making. WhatsApp can be used for research distribution and enhance the dissemination of accurate information.