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

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

Bewunetu Zewude  1 , Tewodros Habtegiorgis  1 , Ashenafi Hizkeal  1 , Tamirat Dela  2 , Getahun Siraw  3
Affiliations

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

Bewunetu Zewude et al. Pragmat Obs Res. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
For how long did the side effects of COVID-19 vaccine last?
Figure 2
Figure 2
How severe/painful were the side-effects that you experienced after vaccination?
Figure 3
Figure 3
Have you ever been infected by COVID-19 after receiving the CIVID-19 vaccine?
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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