RTP NSBE JR - Team Immunity - Medical Mistrust and Awareness of COVID-19 and Vacinnes

Medical Mistrust and Awareness of COVID-19 and Vaccines Team Immunity

Agenda 1. Introduction 2. Purpose 3. Methods & Materials Reflections 4. Results 5. Conclusions 6. Reflections 7. Acknowledgements

Introduction Team Immunity

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a virus that came to the United States in late January 2020 and is a novel addition to science.

The CDC provides a plethora of information on the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson Vaccines.

Since the beginning of COVID, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted minority groups such as African Americans and Latinos.

Medical Mistrust ● There is a history of medical mistrust in medically underserved communities such as the Black and Latino communities. ● This includes events such as the Tuskegee Experiment, Henrietta Lacks, and Puerto Rican sterilization. ● As a result of this history some are reluctant to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Research Question

What is the effect of past medical mistrust on current traditionally medically underserved communities and their sentiments about the COVID-19 vaccine?

Purpose

• The purpose of this study is to inform of the following: • Research the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on traditionally medically underserved communities • Understand hesitations • Provide information to enable informed decisions, including for those with underlying medical conditions and pre-dispositions.

Hypothesis

● Our hypothesis was that more people will be interested in taking a COVID-19 vaccine, if education is provided, to determine best personal options considering one’s health, if barriers to trust are addressed, healthcare disparities are minimized and an equal opportunity to access the appropriate vaccine is provided.

Team Immunity

Methods and Materials

Pre- and Post-Surveys

An Analytical Tool

Our Materials A Focus Group

A Presentation

Our Method

Step 1 Consulted medical professionals to learn more about research.

Step 2 Identify a focus group

Step 3 Curate a preand postsurvey

Step 4 Conduct a pre-survey

Step 5 Introduce helpful information

Step 6 Conduct a post-survey

Step 7 Analyze the results

Survey participants attended this COVID19 Info Session

Team Immunity obtained convenience sample participants during the Jan 19th RTP NSBE meeting

The team presented the focus of the project

The team presented the purpose to the audience

Team Immunity explained the need for Pre and Post participation.

The COVID-19 Info Session was approximately 45 minutes

Results Team Immunity

The post-test responses of both of these questions demonstrate a growing response in uncertainty about healthcare professionals

Pre-Test Results ● We found that our focus group was generally well-educated on COVID-19 and how it spreads. ● People also generally trusted health professionals and their opinions

Post-Test Results ● We saw a slight improvement in their knowledge of COVID-19 ● We also saw a decline in certainty of trust in medical/healthcare professionals

Conclusion Team Immunity

Conclusion ● Our hypothesis was that more people will be interested in taking a COVID-19 vaccine, if education is provided, to determine best personal options considering one’s health, if barriers to trust are addressed, healthcare disparities are minimized and an equal opportunity to access the appropriate vaccine is provided. ● Our hypothesis was correct and we were able to improve the understanding of participants and we detected a positive change in their sentiments about the vaccine ● Our results as to if people are more trusting of healthcare professionals seem to point in both directions of less and more trust after information about past mistrust was introduced.

Reflections Team Immunity

Reflections (Project) ● To get more people vaccinated they need to be better informed ● There needs to be more rebuilding of the trust between medical professionals and minority groups

Reflections (Personal) ● Something challenging about this project is that we had to work remotely, but we were able to overcome this with regular check-ins about our progress. ● We also learned how to depend on each other for feedback and were able to collaborate.

Acknowledgements

RTP NSBE JR Advisors/Coaches

Survey Participants

Community Partners

Family Support

Thank you for listening!