OBJECTIVES: The aim of our research was to investigate the self-rated health status, health behaviour and hygiene habits of pregnant women, and to explore the influencing factors during the pandemic. METHODS: The sample included 1,200 pregnant women who gave birth in the most progressive institutions of the three examined counties in Hungary; 839 questionnaires were returned, based on which the willingness to answer can be said to be 69.9%. After data cleaning, 640 questionnaires were added to the database. Descriptive statistical analyses and correlation tests were performed, during which we used the Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Socio-demographic factors show a significant correlation with the perceived state of health and the degree of responsibility for health, however, the existence of a chronic disease does not affect either the self-assessed state of health or hygienic behaviour. Factors influencing hygienic behaviour include residence, education, assessed income, and gestational age. We found no correlation between health status and hygienic attitude. CONCLUSIONS: Our results draw attention to the fact that among pregnant women - especially pregnant women with low socioeconomic status - education about hygiene habits is of particular importance. Teamwork is needed in this area, which should start during the period of preparation for pregnancy, but at the latest in the early stages of pregnancy.

Department of Applied Social Sciences Faculty of Technical and Human Sciences Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania Targu Mures Romania

Department of Biology Faculty of Education J Selye University Komarno Slovak Republic

Department of Biology Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences University of Presov Presov Slovak Republic

Department of Health Informatics Faculty of Health Sciences University of Debrecen Debrecen Hungary

Department of Health Methodology and Prevention Faculty of Health Sciences University of Debrecen Nyiregyhaza Hungary

Department of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Health Sciences University of Debrecen Nyiregyhaza Hungary

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