Gendered experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccinations: A case study of healthcare workers at Katutura Health Centre, in Khomas region, Namibia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Nhemachena, A. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Shindinge, Saara Twahafifwa | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-02-13T08:37:31Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-02-13T08:37:31Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description | A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Degree of Masters of Arts in Gender and Development studies | |
| dc.description.abstract | Healthcare workers as frontline heroes in the COVID-19 pandemic were the first to be considered for the COVID-19 vaccine. The study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences about COVID-19 vaccinations based on the gender of the healthcare workers at the Katutura Health Centre. The objectives of the study were to explore the perceptions about COVID-19 vaccinations; describe the experiences of healthcare workers vaccinated at the Katutura Health Centre and examine how gender is connected to how one experiences and perceives COVID-19 vaccinations. The study was informed by a qualitative descriptive case study design, with a sample size of 22 participants out of a population of 104, using convenience sampling. A pilot study was conducted but the results were not part of the main study. The data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The data was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The principles of autonomy, beneficence, justice and non-maleficence were applied to the study. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis, namely; the perception of healthcare workers on the COVID-19 vaccine, the experience of healthcare workers on the COVID-19 vaccine, and the link between gender and vaccine uptake. The findings were related to critical theory, which provided the basis on which to explain how Health Care Workers (HCWs) perceived and experienced the COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and the public. The findings conclude that HCWs received their information from formal sources and social media. However, HCWs understood the benefits of receiving the vaccine, which was also the factor that prompted them to receive the vaccine. The process of receiving the vaccine was described as fast and smooth. Yet, most experienced headaches and muscle pain as side effects. The uptake of the vaccine was common amongst females, however, they expressed fear of infertility and death as hindrances to receiving the vaccine. The study recommended the development and conducting of training for HCWs focused on benefits of vaccines, and vaccine safety | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11070/3955 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | University of Namibia | |
| dc.subject | Gender | |
| dc.subject | Health Care Workers | |
| dc.subject | COVID 19 | |
| dc.subject | Experience | |
| dc.subject | Perceptions | |
| dc.subject | Namibia | |
| dc.subject | University of Namibia | |
| dc.title | Gendered experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccinations: A case study of healthcare workers at Katutura Health Centre, in Khomas region, Namibia | |
| dc.type | Thesis |