Factors Related to Low COVID-19 Vaccination Rate in Pregnant and Postpartum Women with and without COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: This study focused on pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to determine the attitudes and behaviors of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, and the vaccination behaviors in the groups with and without the disease. The reasons for refusing the vaccine were also questioned. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2021 to October 2021. The study data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. The participants were pregnant women who applied to the hospital for routine antenatal care and were hospitalized, and women in the postpartum period. Additionally, pregnant and postpartum patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of admission and were hospitalized and admitted to the intensive care unit due to this disease were also included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 1,146 pregnant and postpartum women who completed the questionnaire were included in our study. Only 43 (3.8%) of the participants were vaccinated; 154 (13.4%) of the participants had comorbidities. The number of COVID-19-positive patients was 153. The lack of sufficient information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is the most common reason for the refusal. CONCLUSION: Vaccine refusal can significantly delay or hinder herd immunity, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. Considering the adverse effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, it is essential to understand pregnant and postpartum women's perceptions toward vaccination to end the pandemic.

Factors Related to Low COVID-19 Vaccination Rate in Pregnant and Postpartum Women with and without COVID-19 / Fatores relacionados à baixa taxa de vacinação contra COVID-19 em gestantes e puérperas com e sem COVID-19

Abstract Objective This study focused on pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to determine the attitudes and behaviors of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, and the vaccination behaviors in the groups with and without the disease. The reasons for refusing the vaccine were also questioned. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2021 to October 2021. The study data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. The participants were pregnant women who applied to the hospital for routine antenatal care and were hospitalized, and women in the postpartum period. Additionally, pregnant and postpartum patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of admission and were hospitalized and admitted to the intensive care unit due to this disease were also included in the study. Results A total of 1,146 pregnant and postpartum women who completed the questionnaire were included in our study. Only 43 (3.8%) of the participants were vaccinated; 154 (13.4%) of the participants had comorbidities. The number of COVID-19-positive patients was 153. The lack of sufficient information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is the most common reason for the refusal. Conclusion Vaccine refusal can significantly delay or hinder herd immunity, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. Considering the adverse effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, it is essential to understand pregnant and postpartum women's perceptions toward vaccination to end the pandemic.

The Role of Inflammatory Hematological Markers in Predicting IVF Success.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive role of inflammatory hematological markers on treatment success in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed the data from the patients who admitted to our IVF center, and we recorded demographic characteristics, medical histories, laboratory biomarkers, cycle characteristics, and IVF outcomes from the patients' files. We assessed the value of white blood cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet/lymphocyte (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) of the patients from their complete blood count. We compared these values in terms of predicting positive HCG test after embryo transfer (ET). RESULTS: There were 132 patients, of which 63 (47.7%) were treated for male factor, 43 (32.6%) for unexplained infertility, 19 (14.4%) for diminished ovarian reserve, 5 (3.8%) for endometriosis and 2 (1.5%) for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. After ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval, 115 patients underwent embryo transfer, and 28 patients had a positive HCG test (24.3%). The positive HCG group had a statistically lower PLR when compared to the HCG (-) group (p=0.02). In the ROC analysis, PLR was significant in predicting positive HCG (p=0.028). However, when we added other factors to the model, only age and MII oocyte count were successful in predicting pregnancy outcomes in a logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: According our results, inflammatory hematological markers were not effective in predicting IVF success.

Obstetric outcomes among syrian refugees: A comparative study at a tertiary care Maternity Hospital in Turkey

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to analyze and compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes between Syrian refugees and ethnic Turkish women. Methods Retrospective, observational study. A total of 576 Syrian refugees and 576 ethnic Turkish women were included in this study, which was conducted between January 2015 and December 2015 at a tertiary maternity training hospital in Ankara, Turkey. The demographic characteristics, obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared. The primary outcomes were pregnancy outcomes and cesarean rates between the groups Results The mean age was significantly lower in the refugee group (p< 0.001). Mean gravidity, proportion of adolescent pregnancies, proportion of pregnant women aged 12 to 19 years, and number of pregnancies at < 18 years were significantly higher among the refugee women (p< 0.001). Rates of antenatal follow-up, double testing, triple testing, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening, and iron replacement therapy were significantly lower in the refugee group (p< 0.001). The primary Cesarean section rate was significantly lower in the refugee group (p= 0.034). Pregnancies in the refugee group were more complicated, with higher rates of preterm delivery (< 37 weeks), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and low birth weight (< 2,500 g) when compared with the control group (4.2% versus 0.7%, p< 0.001; 1.6% versus 0.2%, p= 0.011; and 12% versus 5.8%, p< 0.001, respectively). Low education level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-0.1), and weight gain during pregnancy (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.5-0.1) were found to be significant indicators for preterm birth/PPROM and low birthweight. Conclusion Syrian refugees had increased risks of certain adverse obstetric outcomes, including preterm delivery, PPROM, lower birth weight, and anemia. Several factors may influence these findings; thus, refugee women would benefit from more targeted care during pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetric Outcomes among Syrian Refugees: A Comparative Study at a Tertiary Care Maternity Hospital in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes between Syrian refugees and ethnic Turkish women. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study. A total of 576 Syrian refugees and 576 ethnic Turkish women were included in this study, which was conducted between January 2015 and December 2015 at a tertiary maternity training hospital in Ankara, Turkey. The demographic characteristics, obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared. The primary outcomes were pregnancy outcomes and cesarean rates between the groups RESULTS: The mean age was significantly lower in the refugee group (p < 0.001). Mean gravidity, proportion of adolescent pregnancies, proportion of pregnant women aged 12 to 19 years, and number of pregnancies at < 18 years were significantly higher among the refugee women (p < 0.001). Rates of antenatal follow-up, double testing, triple testing, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening, and iron replacement therapy were significantly lower in the refugee group (p < 0.001). The primary Cesarean section rate was significantly lower in the refugee group (p = 0.034). Pregnancies in the refugee group were more complicated, with higher rates of preterm delivery (< 37 weeks), preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and low birth weight (< 2,500 g) when compared with the control group (4.2% versus 0.7%, p < 0.001; 1.6% versus 0.2%, p = 0.011; and 12% versus 5.8%, p < 0.001, respectively). Low education level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-0.1), and weight gain during pregnancy (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.5-0.1) were found to be significant indicators for preterm birth/PPROM and low birthweight. CONCLUSION: Syrian refugees had increased risks of certain adverse obstetric outcomes, including preterm delivery, PPROM, lower birth weight, and anemia. Several factors may influence these findings; thus, refugee women would benefit from more targeted care during pregnancy and childbirth.