Exploring knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 vaccine decision-making among pregnant people in Brazil

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccines are a crucial tool for preventing serious illnesses from COVID-19, and all WHO-approved vaccines can be used in pregnancy. However, even in settings where COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been strongly encouraged, acceptance of the vaccine among pregnant women has been lower than expected. Therefore, a better understanding of how vaccine decision-making occurs between pregnant and primiparous women in Brazil is - undoubtedly - valuable information. A prospective study of mixed methodology will be carried out in two participating centers in the southeastern region of Brazil (CAISM/Hospital da Mulher/Unicamp and the University Hospital of Jundiaí) We propose two activities: A. A qualitative study consisting of longitudinal interviews (during and after pregnancy) to understand how COVID-19 vaccine decision-making occurs among pregnant and postpartum women; B. A cross-sectional study to identify how attitudes and behaviours related to COVID-19 vaccination status among pregnant and newly pregnant women. For A: the in-depth interviews will be transcribed and analyzed, and these interview data will be analyzed using Atlas.ti qualitative software and compared across time points. As for B: Data collection and recording instruments will be created through the RedCap system. The results generated by the research will provide a social benefit by identifying the feasibility of maternal COVID-19 vaccination, in addition to being able to be used by the MoH and other multilateral agencies to identify best practices in the introduction and expansion of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women, in addition to This generates new insights into maternal immunization strategies in high viral load environments.