A year of COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey: knowledge level, attitude and perspective of pregnant and postpartum women

Abstract

Objective This study assessed the knowledge level on COVID-19, attitudes towards preventive measures, perspectives on education in pregnant and postpartum women. Methods The online questionnaire was designed included 19 questions (demographics, knowledge, attitudes, perspectives on COVID-19). Results 316 out of 320 subjects (98.7%) completed the questionnaire. The knowledge level on transmission respiratory route / unhygienic environment was 47.1%/42.6% for pregnant, 47.3%/34.8% for postpartum women. The most frequent clinical symptoms, pregnant women answered 30.6% ‘fever’, 26.2% ‘cough’, 2.6% answered ‘asymptomatic’. 44% of the postpartum women were informed about the possible findings in infants. 62.3% of the pregnant women did not know the poor pregnancy outcomes. 60.1% of the pregnant, 54.5% of the postpartum women were afraid of virus transmission, possible poor outcomes. Positive attitude towards preventive measures during/after pandemic was detected in 100%/95.8% of the pregnant, 99%/99% of the postpartum women. No statistically significant difference was detected between the education level and the method of learning information in both groups (p=0.363, p=0.672). The way of acquiring knowledge 69% media and 29.1% physician for pregnant women, 54.3% media and 43.4% physician for postpartum women. Positive perspective on education was detected in 84.9% and 79.8% of the pregnant and postpartum women, respectively. Conclusion Pregnant-postpartum women are still at risk from the COVID-19 pandemic. There is not any curative treatment for these women. The importance of the preventive measures have still kept on. Correct and current information were explained by healthcare workers to these patient groups for understanding COVID-19 effects on the mother, fetus, newborn and performing the preventive measures with conscious.