A Cross-Sectional Analysis to Evaluate Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Among Pregnant Women During COVID-19 Pandemic

J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2021 Aug;71(Suppl 1):18-27. doi: 10.1007/s13224-021-01558-y. Epub 2021 Sep 4.

Abstract

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional analysis pertaining to COVID-19 which was conducted at a tertiary care obstetric facility in India among 200 consecutive consenting pregnant women. They were assessed for demographic details and KAP score (knowledge-17 questions, attitude-9 questions and practice-8 questions). Analysis of data was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0.

Results: The participants had adequate mean knowledge score (± SD) of 22.5 (± 3.5) were following good practices [mean score (± SD) = 15.5 (± 2.6)] and showed positive attitude for preventive measures against COVID-19 [n (%) = 194(96%)]. Low knowledge score (p-value 0.030) was seen in non-health care workers.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that majority of the pregnant women had satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude and were following practices in right manner regarding COVID-19 but continued efforts for generating awareness were warranted. As India is battling the second COVID-19 wave and in the absence of definitive cure, strengthening of health policies directed at pregnant women should be prioritized with special focus on significant gaps in KAP.

Keywords: Attitude; COVID-19; Knowledge; Practice; Pregnant.