Perceptions and Experiences of COVID-19 Vaccine Side-Effects Among Healthcare Workers in Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bewunetu Zewude; Tewodros Habtegiorgis; Ashenafi Hizkeal; Tamirat Dela; Getahun Siraw

doi:10.2147/POR.S344848

Perceptions and Experiences of COVID-19 Vaccine Side-Effects Among Healthcare Workers in Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pragmat Obs Res. 2021 Dec 16:12:131-145. doi: 10.2147/POR.S344848. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Bewunetu Zewude¹, Tewodros Habtegiorgis¹, Ashenafi Hizkeal¹, Tamirat Dela², Getahun Siraw³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia.
² Department of Civics and Ethical Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo town, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dilla University, Dilla town, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: We examined the perceptions of healthcare workers about the side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine and the types of side-effects they experienced in the post-vaccination period.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional survey research design was used in which a semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to collect quantitative data from healthcare workers in Southern Ethiopia that were selected on the basis of a multi-stage cluster sampling technique. After inserting the completed cases into SPSS software, descriptive statistical techniques, such as frequencies, percentages, charts and inferential statistical tool, particularly binary logistic regression analysis, were used to analyze and present the data.

Results: Majority (43.6%) of respondents perceive that COVID-19 vaccine will have muscle pain around the injection site, followed by fever (39.9%), problems of blood clots (37.8%), headache (35.6%), fatigue (33.5%), and aching limbs (16%). And 63.6%) of them reported that they have experienced muscle pain around the injection site after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, followed by fatigue (42%), headache (37.2%), fever (34.2%), redness around the injection site (21.6%), and swelling around the injection site (17.8%). Moreover, 25% reported that the fear of potential side-effects of COVID-19 vaccine inhibited them from taking the vaccine. Above all, it is found that respondents' expectation of COVID-19 vaccine to have such serious side-effects is significantly associated to their educational status (OR = 0.229; P < 0.01; 95%C.I.: 0.080-0.651).

Conclusion: While the expectations of most of the healthcare workers regarding the side-effects of the vaccine are parallel to the normal reactions of the vaccine, a significant proportion of the study participants have reported that they perceive COVID-19 vaccine will have life-threatening side-effects. Such fears have also played a role in affecting vaccine uptake. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, and other concerned government bodies should create further awareness on COVID-19 vaccine and related safety issues.

Keywords: COVID-19; healthcare worker; perception; side-effect; vaccine.