Abstract:
Although COVID-19 vaccines are available, evidence suggests that several factors hinder or facilitate their use. Several studies have found gender differences in COVID-19 vaccine uptake, with women less likely to vaccinate than men in many countries, including Ghana. These studies, however, have primarily been quantitative. This study used a qualitative approach to examine the facilitators and barriers to vaccine uptake among women in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional descriptive qualitative research design, 30 women in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana were conveniently sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Fifteen (15) interviews were conducted in each region. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using QSR NVivo version 10 software. Among the key factors that facilitate COVID-19 vaccination are the desire to protect oneself and family against COVID-19, education about COVID-19 vaccines, seeing others receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccine being cost-free. On the other hand, long queues at the vaccination centres, fear of side effects, misconceptions about the vaccines, and shortage of vaccines were the main barriers against COVID-19 vaccination. The study results show that individual, institutional, and vaccine-related factors facilitate or hinder COVID-19 vaccination among women. Addressing these factors need continuous comprehensive health education, and ensuring vaccine availability at vaccination sites will improve women�s uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines. Copyright: � 2022 Afrifa-Anane et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Description:
Afrifa-Anane, G.F., Department of Environment and Public Health, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana; Larbi, R.T., Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Addo, B., Department of Sociology and Social Work, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Agyekum, M.W., Institute for Educational Research and Innovation Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana; Kyei-Arthur, F., Department of Environment and Public Health, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana; Appiah, M., Department of Environment and Public Health, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana; Agyemang, C.O., Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; Sakada, I.G., Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana