PREDICTORS AFFECTING ACCEPTANCE OF PRENATAL COVID-19 VACCINATION IN TAIWAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY BASED ON HEALTH BELIEF MODEL

Abstract

        Pregnant women face an elevated risk of contracting Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to recommend vaccination for safety. This study aimed to assess the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and explore its associated predictors among pregnant women in Taiwan, using a cross-sectional design from October 2022 to February 2023. Demographic information, knowledge, and attitudes based on Health Belief Model were analyzed using Chi‐square tests, t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

        A total of 594 pregnant women completed questionnaires, revealing a 72.4% acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. Six independent predictors were identified: maternal age (aOR = 0.327, 95% CI = 0.110-0.969), self-perceived current health condition (aOR = 4.694, 95% CI = 2.173-10.139), regular exercise during pregnancy (aOR = 2.755, 95% CI = 1.690-4.493), influenza vaccination history in the last 3 years (aOR = 2.452, 95% CI = 1.117-5.379), hospital (aOR = 0.253, 95% CI = 0.143-0.446), and attitude (aOR = 3.949, 95% CI = 2.103-7.413) toward COVID-19 and its vaccination. Vaccinated women cited pandemic impact and potential complications, while unvaccinated women expressed concerns about side effects and vaccine safety. Physicians’ advice and official websites significantly influenced acceptance. Notably, prenatal influenza vaccination rates dropped to 11.3% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

        In the evolving landscape of the COVID-19 virus, vaccination remains crucial for pregnant women. Therefore, healthcare providers should actively recommend COVID-19 vaccines, communicate effectively, and provide accurate information and personalized guidance to high-risk pregnant women, extending efforts to include prenatal influenza vaccines.