Is decision-making based on the internet during pregnancy a predictive factor for vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women during the pandemic?

Women Health. 2024 Jan 2;64(1):5-13. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2023.2277879. Epub 2023 Dec 28.

Abstract

Pregnant women frequently use the Internet to get information, and the information they receive is effective in their decision-making. It is known that pregnant women get information about COVID-19 vaccines from the Internet. This study aims to determine whether decision-making based on Internet sources during pregnancy is a predictive factor for vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women during the pandemic. A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used. The data were collected by using an online survey instrument. There was a positive, moderate, and significant relationship between the self-efficacy perception sub-dimension of the internet decision-making during pregnancy scale and the risk sub-dimension of the vaccine hesitancy in pandemics scale (r: .584, p < .05) and between the self-control sub-dimension of the internet decision-making during pregnancy scale and the risk sub-dimension of the vaccine hesitancy in pandemics scale (r: .546, p < .05). The perception of self-control (β: .291) affected the lack of confidence, and the perception of self-efficacy (β: .481) affected the risk perception more than other variables. There was a relationship between internet decision-making and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women. Health professionals, information specialists, and librarians should orient people to reliable sources about vaccines.

Keywords: Internet; pandemic; pregnant; vaccine hesitation.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Pandemics
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnant Women*
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccination Hesitancy*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines