AUTHOR=Martinez Gonzalez Andrea , Reynolds-Tylus Tobias , Galarreta-Aima Diana , Alemán Carlos G. 

TITLE=COVID-19 Beliefs Among Hispanic and Latinx Virginians: An Application of the Health Belief Model

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Communication

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2022.876656

DOI=10.3389/fcomm.2022.876656

ISSN=2297-900X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>COVID-19 disproportionally affects U.S. Hispanic and Latinx individuals. Guided by the Health Belief Model, we examined COVID-19 beliefs among Hispanic and Latinx adults in Virginia.</p></sec><sec><title>Method</title><p>Respondents (<italic>n</italic> = 414) were Hispanic and/or Latinx adults in Virginia recruited via Qualtrics panel between May and September 2021. Approximately two-thirds completed the survey in English (63.0%), and one-third completed the survey in Spanish (37.0%).</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Most respondents self-reported as vaccinated (72%). Vaccinated respondents reported greater perceived severity and susceptibility to COVID-19 than unvaccinated respondents. Perceived benefits and barriers to vaccination were identified among vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents, respectively. Among unvaccinated respondents, self-efficacy was greater for individuals who planned to get vaccinated compared with those who did not or were unsure. For cues-to-action, vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents identified credible sources and channels for COVID-19 information.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>Our results highlight several opportunities and challenges to promoting COVID-19 awareness and vaccination among Hispanic and Latinx adults.</p></sec>