Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has caused millions of deaths worldwide and has ongoing health issues for those who survived the illness. According to the United States census bureau, the Latinx, Hispanic, and/or of Spanish Origin + (LHS+) community of South Florida accounts for approximately half of its total population, leading to the importance of this study. It is crucial that this community accepts the vaccine to control the pandemic and help maintain the health of its citizens. This study aims to understand how COVID-19 has affected the LHS+ population in South Florida while also exploring opinions on vaccines, access to care, and availability of the vaccine.
Objective: The study aims to understand health disparities, comorbidities, and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccines as well as the side effects experienced by the LHS+ population of South Florida.
Methods: The internal review board (IRB)-approved study was designed as a survey available to the general population from June to November 2021. The survey was administered using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), and it was accessible in English and Spanish. Participants were required to be 18 years of age or older, a South Florida resident, and of Hispanic origin. The survey was posted on the principal investigators (PIs), mentor, and co-investigators social media platforms and flyers were printed and posted. In addition, participants were prompted to share the survey with their family and friends. The questionnaire included questions about age, gender, whether the person had tested positive for COVID-19, and symptoms experienced if any. It also included questions on vaccination status, vaccine preference, and hesitancy. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to the data obtained.
Results: Data shows that 251 surveys have been completed. A total of 183 females and 66 males completed the survey, with 109 responses being in the 25-34 age group and only eight responses in the 65 and older age group. Ninety three participants tested positive for COVID-19 and 23 percent experienced body aches, 19 percent fatigue, 16 percent chills, 13 percent fever, 12 percent shortness of breath, nine percent were asymptomatic, and eight percent had other associated symptoms. One hundred seventy six or 70 percent were fully vaccinated, whereas 59 or 24 percent elected not to get vaccinated. Among the reasons for choosing not to get vaccinated, 42 percent expressed concerns with the vaccine side effects and 12 percent thought the vaccines were developed too fast.
Conclusion: Based on the study’s results, much of the LHS+ population in South Florida is vaccinated. Nevertheless, hesitancy towards being vaccinated is also prevalent in the population. Fear of the vaccine’s side effects, and its fast development are the main concerns among those unvaccinated. It is also important to highlight that the survey did not significantly reach the older population, those over 65. Therefore, a more effective campaign strategy is required to obtain this data. Collaborating with primary care physicians and media outlets to educate the LHS+ population, specifically, the older population, is a strategy that might be helpful in the future. Debunking myths and spreading information about COVID-19 and the vaccines, in English and Spanish, is crucial to educating the LHS+ population of South Florida.
