A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in Pokhara, Nepal.

Research Report.

ABSTRACT: Background: The study was done to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antenatal attendees towards covid-19 in tertiary hospital in Pokhara, Nepal. Methods: The cross-sectional observational study was carried out among 385 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of Gandaki medical college between March 2021 and May 2021, using pretested questionnaires. Results: Maximum respondents were between the age group of 30 to 35. About 85% of participants studied higher secondary and above higher secondary. The more than four‐fifths (81.3%) of them had information about COVID‐19 and their main source of information was television and radio. More than half of the respondents thought it transmits via human touch. (26.5%) thought that delivery at the hospital is unsafe. The majority showed a good attitude and practice of COVID‐19 disease; however (41%) regretted conceiving during the pandemic, (17%) thought of aborting their fetus, (47.5%) were against breastfeeding, 81.6% had regular ANC checkups, and 89.9% were consuming additional diet during pandemic. Conclusion: Majority of the study population has good knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID‐19 disease . However, it is worrisome that some respondents thought of terminating her pregnancy, and some were unable to visit the hospital for routine ANC checkup and didn't have knowledge about breastfeeding their child. Proper education must be given to the population to avert these negative attitudes while promoting a positive preventive attitude.. Keywords: Attitude, COVID-19, Knowledge, Practice