COVID-19 Knowledge, Message Perceptions and Behaviors among Pregnant and Postpartum Women During the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the factors associated with COVID-19 knowledge, perceptions of COVID-19 messaging related to the perinatal population, and examined the association between COVID-19 knowledge and adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors among pregnant and postpartum women during the first wave of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in the United States. Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey. A convenience sample of pregnant and postpartum women (18-49) were recruited from across the United States between April and June 2020—during the first wave of the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Of the 584 participants, 22.8% correctly answered all COVID-19 knowledge questions and 85.8% correctly identified the primary COVID-19 symptoms. Participants with at least one chronic health condition (aOR=0.60, 95% CI=0.39, 0.94) and who were unmarried (aOR=, 95% CI=0.43, 0.93) had a lower odds of correctly answering COVID-19 knowledge questions. Sixty-two percent of participants reported COVID-19 messaging was consistent and 43.3% of participants reported being able to find enough COVID-19 information or resources for pregnant or postpartum women. Participants had high levels of adherence to preventive behaviors. Participants who avoided hosting small gatherings during stay-at-home orders were two time as likely to correctly answer COVID-19 knowledge questions (aOR=, (95% CI=1.15,3.66). Discussion: The findings underline the importance of prioritizing tailored educational and care needs among pregnant and postpartum people as early as possible during a global health emergency.