COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Marshallese in Northwest Arkansas (USA).

ABSTRACT:

Background

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Pacific Islander communities, with disparities in the prevalence of infection, serious illness, and death compared to non-Hispanic whites in the US. Marshallese Pacific Islanders face significant COVID-19 disparities.

Design and methods

This exploratory study aimed to understand Marshallese community attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine to identify and implement culturally relevant strategies to encourage vaccine uptake. Data were collected from 17 participants in three focus groups.

Results

Using content analysis, researchers identified two global themes: (1) barriers to vaccination and (2) facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Within these themes, participants described fear, lack of knowledge about vaccines, ne

SUBMITTER: Purvis RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10910884 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature