Knowledge and Attitude Towards the Current Pandemic Corona Virus Disease and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Debre Tabor General Hospital Northwest Ethiopia: An Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: The current emerging respiratory disease known as the novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is now an international concern and a pandemic with non-availability of treatment. Due to altered physiology, weakened mechanical and immunological features pregnant mothers constitute a particularly suspectable segment of population in any infection pandemic. The goal of this study was to assess level of knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and determinants among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care (ANC) in Debre Tabor General Hospital Northwest Ethiopia.

Patient and methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was performed from June 05 to 26, 2020. A total of 403 pregnant mothers participated and were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected via face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi-Data version 4.2 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed and p-value <0.05 at 95% CI was considered as statistically significant.

Results: Overall, 52.1% and 52.6% of participants had a good level of knowledge and positive attitude towardCOVID-19, respectively. Level of knowledge was significantly associated with participants' age (15-24 years) (AOR: 4.58; 95% CI: 1.721-12.201), educational status (AOR:7.78; 95% CI: 2.31-15.65) occupation (AOR:2.26; 95% CI: 1.23-4.15), and condition of pregnancy (AOR:4.55; 95% CI: 1.84-11.25). Whereas age (25-34 years) (AOR:2.61; 95% CI: 1.23-5.55), participants husband completed secondary education (AOR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.13-6.70) and college and above (AOR:3.77; 95% CI: 1.1.62-8.76), wanted pregnancy (AOR:2.70; 95% CI: 1.22-5.97) and knowledge (AOR:1.65; 95% CI: 1.06-2.572) were the significant predictors for attitude.

Conclusion: Findings show that almost half of the participants had a good level of knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. Age, educational status, occupational status, condition of current pregnancy was positively associated with women level of awareness of COVID-19. Additional research is needed to see the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and feto-maternal effect.

Keywords: COVID-19; Debre Tabor; attitude; knowledge; pregnant women.