Examining COVID-19 hesitancies related to fertility and pregnancy among Black and Latinx women Open Access

Godinez-Santana, Belén (Spring 2022)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/0r9674921?locale=en
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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified inequalities that exist in the United States of America. Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Lack of trust in healthcare and government among BIPOC and under- resourced communities in the United States is a longstanding issue rooted in historical social injustices. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the gap that exists in medical uptake among BIPOC communities and created an increased need for culturally, linguistically, and timely COVID-19 evidence-based information. The purpose of this thesis is to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health inequities among BIPOC communities and to assess the factors that play a role in COVID-19 vaccination uptake as it pertains to information mayhem regarding pregnancy and fertility for Black and Latinx women. To understand how information mayhem affects decisions related to pregnancy and fertility for Black and Latinx women, a secondary review of existing literature specifically related to hesitancy among Black and Latinx communities was conducted, and COVIED design group data was analyzed. A qualitative approach was chosen to capture the variety and depth of participants’ narratives. Findings were based on four themes that were generated: fear of vaccination based on past and present injustices on Black and Brown bodies, fear of vaccination due to hesitancies related to maternal and child health outcomes, general health fears related to COVID-19 vaccinations, and fears related to culture and religion. These themes ultimately suggested that information mayhem plays a significant role in the decisions Black and Latinx women make related to COVID-19 vaccines. 

Table of Contents

Purpose 1

Background 1

Importance of COVID-19 communication and vaccine uptake in BIPOC communities 1

Previous Relevant Work: COVIED Project 2

Narratives reflecting themes related to COVID-19 hesitancy among BIPOC communities 5

Histories of discrimination and marginalization (past) 5

Suspicion of authorities (political and economic motivations) (present) 6

Information mayhem (processing of information) 6

Groups of focus: Black communities 7

Groups of focus: Latinx communities 8

BIPOC are at higher risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19 8

Black and Latinx women and fears related to pregnancy/ fertility 9

Summary 9

Significance 10

Methods 11

Introduction 11

Ethical Considerations 14

Research Design 14

Population and Sample 18

Procedures and Instruments 19

Findings 19

Introduction 19

Comorbidities 19

Conspiracies 21

Death 23

History of Discrimination24

Lay Epidemiology 25

Long-Term Side Effects 25

Maternal and Child Health Outcomes 26

Religion 27

Short-Term Side Effects 28

Codes Summary 28

Themes 29

Information Mayhem and Pregnancy/ Fertility Concerns 31

Discussion 32

Finding 1: Tuskegee Syphilis Study 32

Finding 2: Issues Related to Fertility 33

Finding 3: Cardiovascular Disease 34

Finding 4: Contradiction of Faith 35

Limitations 35

Conclusions 36

References 38

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