Highlights
As implemented, the CLIP intervention did not improve the primary composite outcome.
ASHAs and ANMs were able to undertake all aspects of the mobile health app-guided visits.
Women could not be reached in their communities as frequently as planned.
Eight or more POM-guided contacts were associated with fewer stillbirths supporting WHO guidance.
Community-level interventions are unlikely to improve outcomes without enhanced facility care.
Objectives
We sought to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women regarding COVID‐19 vaccination in pregnancy in seven low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC).
Design
Prospective, observational, population‐based study.
Settings
Study areas in seven LMICs: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya and Zambia.
Population
Pregnant women in an ongoing registry.
Methods
COVID‐19 vaccine questionnaires were administered to pregnant women in the Global Network's Maternal Newborn Health Registry from February 2021 through November 2021 in face‐to‐face interviews.
Main outcome measures
Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding vaccination during pregnancy; vaccination status.
Results
No women were vaccinated except for small proportions in India (12.9%) and Guatemala (5.5%). Overall, nearly half the women believed the COVID‐19 vaccine is very/somewhat effective and a similar proportion believed that the COVID‐19 vaccine is safe for pregnant women. With availability of vaccines, about 56.7% said they would get the vaccine and a 34.8% would refuse. Of those who would not get vaccinated, safety, fear of adverse effects, and lack of trust predicted vaccine refusal. Those with lower educational status were less willing to be vaccinated. Family members and health professionals were the most trusted source of information for vaccination.
Conclusions
This COVID‐19 vaccine survey in seven LMICs found that knowledge about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine was generally low but varied. Concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness among pregnant women is an important target for educational efforts to increase vaccination rates.
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