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COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Perceptions, and Trust among Hispanics Residing in an Underserved Community

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriel A. Frietze

    (Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA)

  • Bibiana M. Mancera

    (Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA)

  • Michael J. Kenney

    (Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968, USA)

Abstract

The Borderplex region has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Borderplex residents live in low socioeconomic (SES) neighborhoods and lack access to COVID-19 testing. The purpose of this study was two-fold: first, to implement a COVID-19 testing program in the Borderplex region to increase the number of residents tested for COVID-19, and second, to administer a community survey to identify trusted sources of COVID-19 information and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. A total of 4071 community members were tested for COVID-19, and 502 participants completed the survey. COVID-19 testing resulted in 66.8% ( n = 2718) positive cases. The community survey revealed that the most trusted sources of COVID-19 information were doctors or health care providers (67.7%), government websites (e.g., CDC, FDA, etc.) (41.8%), and the World Health Organization (37.8%). Logistic regression models revealed several statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake such as having a trusted doctor or health care provider, perceiving the COVID-19 vaccine to be effective, and perceiving that the COVID-19 vaccine does not cause side-effects. Findings from the current study highlight the need for utilizing an integrated, multifactorial approach to increase COVID-19 testing and to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake in underserved communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel A. Frietze & Bibiana M. Mancera & Michael J. Kenney, 2023. "COVID-19 Testing, Vaccine Perceptions, and Trust among Hispanics Residing in an Underserved Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:5076-:d:1096356
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shanka, Mesay Sata & Menebo, Mesay Moges, 2022. "When and How Trust in Government Leads to Compliance with COVID-19 Precautionary Measures," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1275-1283.
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