Degree Name
DrPH (Doctor of Public Health)
Program
Public Health
Date of Award
12-2023
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Megan Quinn
Committee Members
Jonathan Moorman, Bill Brooks
Abstract
This work addresses the underlying issues surrounding COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Hispanic and Latinx communities in the Northeast region of Tennessee. A qualitative, phenomenological research approach was used to conduct interviews and data from the interviews was used to inform a survey instrument. The interview guide in the qualitative phase of the study was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) developed by Rosenstock (Rosenstock, 1974). A quantitative approach was then used by piloting the survey instrument in the study population. Common themes found through the interviews were: previous negative experience with COVID-19 vaccination, previous negative experience as a result of COVID-19 disease and being in a role of a caretaker that drove vaccination uptake. Most participants in the survey identified as women (81%) (n=13), received a COVID-19 vaccine (87%) (n=14), lived in a multi-generational household (53%) (n=9) and had private or employer healthcare insurance (69%) (n=11). Only 50% (n=7) of those who were vaccinated had received an updated booster vaccine, indicating a reduction in COVID-19 vaccine uptake after the initial vaccine doses. Future research is needed to identify and analyze factors related to the uptake of booster vaccines against COVID-19 to maintain immunity against COVID-19 and tailor outreach in Hispanic and Latinx communities.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Abrego, Gabriela, "COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in the Hispanic and Latinx Communities of Northeast Tennessee" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4317. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4317
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.