Intention and hesitancy to receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine among pregnant women using a health belief model: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the pattern of COVID-19 infection and vaccination, and to explore pregnant women's willingness and reluctance to accept a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a convenient sample size using a structured questionnaire among pregnant women attending the gynecology and obstetrics department at Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye. The Health Belief Model scale was used to assess the intention and reluctance to accept a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: A total of 145 participants, with a mean age of (33.5±4.8) years, and a gestational age of (30.9±7.3) weeks, were enrolled in this study. 88.8% Received full doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. 47.8% Participants suffered from vaccine adverse effects. Health Belief Model demonstrated a significant finding of perceived susceptibility (P<0.001), perceived severity of COVID-19 complications (P<0.001), and perceived benefits regarding a booster COVID-19 vaccination (P<0.001). Conclusions: Most pregnant women who received the COVID-19 immunization express a significant intention to receive a booster dose, regardless of the adverse effects experienced from the previous doses. However, a small percentage of the study sample express hesitancy about receiving the booster dose.