Connolly Somatra, Liebermann Erica, Greaney Mary L, Cohen Steven A, Lindsey Hayley, Prue Olivia, Keller Julie C
College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA.
College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2025 Dec;21(1):2550097. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2550097. Epub 2025 Aug 26.
Refugees face multi-level barriers to seeking healthcare, making them vulnerable to poorer health outcomes. An estimated 100 to 345 refugees from 20 to 30 different countries settle in Rhode Island (RI) each year. In collaboration with refugee-serving organizations in Providence, RI, this qualitative study investigated refugees' experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and their beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccine. In 2023, we conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) in English, Spanish, Swahili, and Arabic with refugees from three world regions (Africa, Latin America, Middle East). Community advisory board input informed the FGD guide and recruitment efforts. Most participants had been in the United States (US) for less than one year. The sample (N = 60) consisted of 37 women and 23 men, with a mean age of 44.4. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and the National Institute of Minority Health Disparities (NIMHD) Framework was used as an organizing framework. Four themes with subthemes emerged: (1) The COVID-19 pandemic as a difficult, stressful, and fear-inducing experience; (2) Feelings of mistrust regarding the COVID-19 virus and vaccine; (3) Health concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine; and (4) The COVID-19 vaccine as protective and beneficial. These results suggest that feelings of mistrust surrounding the COVID-19 virus and its vaccine may have served as a crucial barrier to vaccine uptake. Study findings can inform culturally tailored interventions to promote better understanding of COVID-19 and other vaccines, and improve vaccine confidence and vaccine uptake among refugee communities.
难民在寻求医疗保健方面面临多层次障碍，这使他们更容易出现较差的健康结果。每年估计有来自20至30个不同国家的100至345名难民在罗德岛定居。本定性研究与罗德岛普罗维登斯的难民服务组织合作，调查了难民在新冠疫情中的经历以及他们对新冠疫苗的看法。2023年，我们用英语、西班牙语、斯瓦希里语和阿拉伯语，与来自三个世界地区（非洲、拉丁美洲、中东）的难民进行了八次焦点小组讨论。社区咨询委员会的意见为焦点小组讨论指南和招募工作提供了参考。大多数参与者在美国的时间不到一年。样本（N = 60）包括37名女性和23名男性，平均年龄为44.4岁。使用主题分析法对数据进行了分析，并将美国国立少数族裔健康差异研究所（NIMHD）框架用作组织框架。出现了四个带有子主题的主题：（1）新冠疫情是一段艰难、压力大且引发恐惧的经历；（2）对新冠病毒和疫苗的不信任感；（3）对新冠疫苗的健康担忧；（4）新冠疫苗具有保护作用且有益。这些结果表明，围绕新冠病毒及其疫苗的不信任感可能是疫苗接种的关键障碍。研究结果可为文化定制干预措施提供参考，以促进对新冠病毒和其他疫苗的更好理解，并提高难民社区的疫苗信心和疫苗接种率。
