Karout Lina, Serwat Ayna, El Mais Huda, Kassab Mohamad, Khalid Fatima, Ruiz Mercedes Brisandi
Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LBN.
Internal Medicine, Self Researcher, Collierville, USA.
Cureus. 2020 Sep 29;12(9):e10707. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10707.
Aims To determine the prevalence, level of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk perception attitude and preventive behavior implemented by the Latino population in the United States of America (USA). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 25 and August 25, 2020, and included asymptomatic Latino participants (n=410) with no current/previous COVID-19 within a religious community in Maryland. Participants answered a questionnaire consisting of three components: patient demographics/socioeconomic status, COVID-19 risk perception, and precautionary behavior. Additionally, a focused history taking and physical examination were performed, and nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing were obtained. Results Around 80% of our study population was 35 years and older, considerably healthy, with only about a third reporting history of chronic disease (80%); most were females (66%). Of our participants, 90% lived under poverty; only ~6% had made it to college. When asked about the likelihood of acquiring COVID-19, 97.3% stated they have a low risk of getting infected. However, as we asked about the risk of individuals living in their neighborhood, state, and country, the rates changed to moderate to high (78.4%, 86.3%, and 86.6%, respectively). When asked about preventive behavior, 71.2% stated they never wear masks and 85.4% mentioned they never keep social distance. Additionally, 76 (18.5%) tested positive for COVID-19, whereas 64 (84.2%) developed symptoms at follow-up, 57 (75%) were hospitalized, and 4 (5.2%) died. Conclusions Our study identified inadequate COVID-19 threat perception and lack of engagement in preventive behavior among a group of Latinos living in the USA. We believe that Latino communities across the USA are at markedly high risk of acquiring, spreading, and dying of COVID-19.
目的 确定美国拉丁裔人群中2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）的流行率、风险认知态度水平以及所采取的预防行为。方法 本横断面研究于2020年7月25日至8月25日进行，纳入了马里兰州一个宗教社区内无症状的拉丁裔参与者（n = 410），他们目前/既往均无COVID-19感染。参与者回答了一份由三个部分组成的问卷：患者人口统计学/社会经济状况、COVID-19风险认知以及预防行为。此外，进行了重点病史采集和体格检查，并采集了用于COVID-19检测的鼻拭子。结果 我们研究人群中约80%年龄在35岁及以上，相当健康，只有约三分之一的人报告有慢性病病史（约80%）；大多数为女性（约66%）。我们的参与者中，90%生活在贫困线以下；只有约6%的人上过大学。当被问及感染COVID-19的可能性时，97.3%的人表示他们感染的风险较低。然而，当我们问及他们所在社区、所在州和所在国家的其他人感染的风险时，这一比例变为中度到高度（分别为78.4%、86.3%和86.6%）。当被问及预防行为时，71.2%的人表示他们从不戴口罩，85.4%的人提到他们从不保持社交距离。此外，76人（18.5%）COVID-19检测呈阳性，而64人（84.2%）在随访时出现症状，57人（75%）住院，4人（5.2%）死亡。结论 我们的研究发现，居住在美国的一组拉丁裔人群对COVID-19的威胁认知不足，且缺乏预防行为。我们认为，美国各地的拉丁裔社区感染、传播和死于COVID-19的风险明显很高。
