Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant Women in the Health District of Thies, Senegal
Khardiatou Barro *
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
Adja Mah Djamaro Diane
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
Soukeye Ndiaye
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
Mouhamadou Faly Ba
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
Ndeye Maguette Fall
Department of Infectious and tropical Diseases, University Hospital Center of Fann, Dakar, Sénégal.
Amadou Ibra Diallo
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal and Institute of Health and Development, Dakar, Senegal.
Viviane Marie Pierre Cissé
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal and Department of Infectious and tropical Diseases, University Hospital Center of Fann, Dakar, Sénégal.
Khardiata Mbaye Diallo
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal and Department of Infectious and tropical Diseases, University Hospital Center of Fann, Dakar, Sénégal.
Adama Faye
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal and Institute of Health and Development, Dakar, Senegal.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted global health systems, and vaccination remains a critical strategy to mitigate its effects. However, vaccination rates among pregnant women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, remain understudied. This study aimed to identify factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in the Thies health district, Senegal.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 736 pregnant women attending antenatal care in public health facilities in Thies. They were then exhaustively recruited. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using R software. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with vaccination.
Results: Participants had a mean age of 28.36 ±6.7 years, with most being married (88.0%), educated (79.1%), and lacking income-generating activities (66.1%). Awareness of COVID-19 vaccination was reported by 67.0%, yet only 28.5% expressed confidence in the vaccines. While 76.4% believed in the importance and usefulness of vaccination, 58.0% perceived it as risky. Vaccine coverage was 54.2%. Factors significantly associated with vaccination included advanced age, decision-making autonomy (AOR=4.24), knowledge of vaccines (AOR=15.3), and perceptions of the vaccine’s importance (AOR=3.26) and usefulness (AOR=2.98). However, perceived risk of vaccination was also associated with uptake (AOR=4.50).
Conclusion: Improving COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women requires tailored interventions addressing knowledge gaps, decision-making autonomy, and risk perceptions. These findings highlight the importance of context-specific strategies to enhance vaccine acceptance and coverage in similar settings.
Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine, pregnancy, associated factors, Thies, Senegal