Philippine E-Journals

Phenomenological Study on COVID-19 Acceptability and Risk Perception among Vaccinated and Non-Vaccinated Senior Citizens of a Selected Barangay in Valenzuela City

Pamela Aira S. Agurto | Phoemela Genesis T. Cachola | Daochwanaki Dkhar | Augustus B. Gato | Joseph Nino O. Llanto | Shaira Denice A. Lopez | Alyssa Kristelle F. Pascasio | Aleczandra C. Roberto | Ma. Nina Villapando | Janice D. De Leon

Discipline: medicine (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic displayed challenges when it comes to vaccine acceptability and knowledge on risk perceptions among one of the vulnerable populations: the elderly. The phenomenological study was intended to compare the level of perception and knowledge on COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and risk perception among vaccinated and non-vaccinated senior citizens in a selected barangay in NCR. SCREENING OF PARTICIPANTS A purposive sampling method was administered in this study due to the unavailability of a master list of senior citizens with their COVID-19 vaccination status. With the help of the local government unit, seven vaccinated senior citizens and seven unvaccinated senior citizens were invited to a one-on-one interview, provided that they were willing to be interviewed, and met the inclusion criteria. DATA GATHERING PROCEDURES Using a semi-structured survey questionnaire, each participant was interviewed to gain their level of knowledge and perspective towards COVID-19 disease and its vaccine. All responses were recorded individually via Microsoft Word and salient points were highlighted and organized via Microsoft Excel in preparation for the Thematic Analysis. THEMATIC ANALYSIS From the collated data, upon transcription and organization, codes were generated from the interpreted responses which helped produce similar themes seen among the respondents presented in a thematic diagram for the two major variables in the study: vaccine acceptability and risk perception. RESULTS The study revealed multiple recurring themes that shaped one’s decision when it comes to vaccination. Both populations shared basic information about COVID-19 disease and vaccine benefits but still admitted a lack of knowledge. Personal choices influenced by family, religion, and access to information were also considered, highlighting the spread of misinformation, doubt about COVID’s existence, and fear, eventually leading to vaccine hesitancy. The majority of the participants (64.29%) believed that COVID-19 vaccine offers protection from the virus. Among the vaccinated population, 85.71% of the participants responded that COVID-19 vaccine offers beneficial protection against infections. Despite this, vaccine hesitancy among the unvaccinated were due to the lack of correct information about COVID-19 and misinformation. CONCLUSION Vaccine acceptability among vaccinated senior citizens was found to be mainly due to the knowledge that vaccines are helpful, effective, reduce the severity of disease incidence, and lower the chance of contracting COVID. On the other hand, vaccine hesitancy and distrust among the unvaccinated senior citizens revealed that their refusal to get vaccinated was influenced mostly by fear of the unknown. The lack of knowledge about the COVID-19 disease and its vaccines led to their fear of the vaccine because of its alleged complications from widespread misinformation.