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- MakaleYalnız künye2025Scopus SJRQ1Examining the hesitations of pregnant women towards COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic: A mixed methods approach
Aksoy, Sena Dilek; Yalçın, Suna Uysal; Odabaş, Resmiye Kaya
Background: Various reasons stemming from direct vaccine concerns, individual factors, and sociocultural and environmental factors contribute to vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Aims: The study described and compare pregnant women's perspectives on COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic and to identify barriers and facilitators. Findings: A mixed-methods research design was adopted to integrate quantitative and qualitative descriptive methods. At a state hospital in the western region of Turkey, 249 pregnant women attending the maternity clinic from March to August 2022 were surveyed using questionnaires, and in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 17 of them. The interview topics were based on the participants’ perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, using quantitative purposive sampling to describe and compare their COVID-19 vaccination status and qualitative purposive sampling to identify their hesitations regarding COVID-19 vaccines, analyzed through content analysis. Reporting followed the GRAMMS guidelines. Discussion: Sixty-six percent of pregnant women had not received the COVID-19 vaccine. Those with advanced age, lower education levels, and lower income exhibited higher levels of vaccine hesitancy. The hesitations of pregnant women toward COVID-19 vaccines revealed three main themes: direct vaccine-related hesitation, hesitation arising from individual factors, and hesitation stemming from socio-cultural and environmental factors. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy, which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, was a significant cause for concern. This hesitancy was explained by three main themes: vaccine hesitancy arising from the vaccine itself, vaccine hesitancy due to individual factors, and vaccine hesitancy stemming from socio-cultural and environmental factors. Additionally, sub-themes such as perceptions related to the management of the vaccination program, personal and infant-related risk-benefit assessments, the influence of anti-vaccine activists on social media, and political factors were also identified as playing a significant role in vaccine hesitancy.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Scopus SJRQ1Effects of qigong for physical and psychological well-being in pregnancy: A multicenter randomized controlled trial
Dundar Ahi, Emine; Kuculmez, Ozlem; Ikbali Afsar, Sevgi; Eyup Dogan, Rahsan
Background Psychological stress and anxiety during pregnancy can adversely affect both maternal and fetal health. Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind–body exercise, is believed to promote physical and mental well-being during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of qigong on anxiety, stress, and exercise self-efficacy in pregnant women. Methods This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial included pregnant women in their second trimester attending prenatal education classes at Baskent University and Alaaddin Keykubat University. Women in the first or third trimester with uncontrolled systemic diseases, high-risk pregnancies, or irregular attendance were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned via Randomizer.org to either the Qigong group or the control group. The Qigong group performed Baduanjin qigong exercises for 30–45 min, three times a week, while the control group received standard prenatal counseling. Demographic data were recorded. All participants completed the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale (PrAS), Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS), and Pregnancy Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (P-ESES). Results A total of 102 pregnant women were analyzed (qigong group: 52; control group: 50). The mean age was 27.95 ± 3.66 years, and the mean gestational week was 26.94 ± 2.12. The qigong group showed significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Exercise self-efficacy scores increased significantly in the qigong group (p < 0.05). Pregnancy-related anxiety and stress scores, including all subscales, showed significant improvement in the qigong group (p < 0.05), with no significant changes in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusions Baduanjin qigong was effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels and improving exercise self-efficacy in pregnant women. This non-pharmacological intervention may offer a safe, supportive approach to mental well-being during pregnancy.
- DergiMidwifery
- DergiComplementary Therapies in Medicine
