COVID Perceptions among Pregnant Women Living in a Malaria Hyperendemic Rural Region in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study
Author:
Segala Francesco Vladimiro1, Patti Giulia1, Olal Lameck2, De Vita Elda1, Olung Nelson3, Papagni Roberta1, Amone James3, Totaro Valentina1, Onapa Emmanuel3, Novara Roberta1, Ngole Benedict2, L’Episcopia Mariangela4, Okori Samuel3, Dall’Oglio Giovanni5, Ictho Jerry5, Severini Carlo4, Putoto Giovanni6, Lochoro Peter5, Di Gennaro Francesco1, Saracino Annalisa1
Affiliation:
1. Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Bari, Italy; 2. African Network for Change, Kampala, Uganda; 3. St. John’s XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda; 4. Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; 5. Doctors with Africa, CUAMM, Kampala, Uganda; 6. Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Padua, Italy
Abstract
ABSTRACT.
Both SARS-CoV2 and Plasmodium falciparum infection during pregnancy increases the risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including abortion, severe disease, and death. Indeed, although malaria and COVID-19 show an overlapping clinical presentation, they require a profoundly different approach. The aim of this study was to explore COVID-19 awareness among pregnant women living in a P. falciparum hyperendemic region in rural Uganda. This cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in one Hospital and two Health Centers (HC) in Lango region, Uganda, from July 14, 2022, to March 14, 2023. Data about demographics, COVID-19 history, and COVID-19 and malaria perceptions were collected using RedCap mobile app platform. Study endpoint was a context-specific COVID-19 awareness score, accounting for the most common disease misconceptions. Association between study variables and good COVID-19 awareness was assessed by χ2 and t test, as appropriate, and variables found to be statistically significant were further explored in multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 888 pregnant women were recruited. Median age was 24 (interquartile range: 20–29) years, whereas 79% (n = 704) attained only primary education and 66.6% (n = 591) were used in agriculture. SARS-CoV2 vaccination rate was 92%. In multivariate analysis (Table 3), variables associated with high COVID knowledge were presenting at antenatal care visit in Atipe HC (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.1, 95% CI: 4.1–16.48) having a previous good knowledge about malaria (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.21–2.56). Among pregnant women living in rural Uganda, COVID-19 awareness relies on the overall educational level, malaria knowledge and reference HC. Among pregnant women living in P. falciparum endemic areas, community-level malaria awareness might guide educational interventions during future pandemics.
Publisher
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Subject
Virology,Infectious Diseases,Parasitology
Reference29 articles.
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