COVID-19 prevention behaviors, trust, and intent to vaccinate among youth at risk for HIV.

Christodoulou, Joan; Fehrenbacher, Anne E; Shaw, Elizabeth H; Vincent, Eleanor M; Saleska, Jessica L · PLoS One · 2022

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

The current study examines COVID-19 prevention behaviors and vaccine intentions among 83 youth at high risk for HIV. Most youth self-identified as Latinx (52%), cisgender men (84%), and homosexual (66%). Youth self-reported COVID-19 prevention behaviors and intentions to vaccinate. Participants reported wearing face masks, washing hands, and staying six feet apart, but fewer reported leaving home only for essential needs. About one-third reported that they would not get a vaccine, and lack of trust in their doctors and the government were significantly associated with non-intention. To improve efforts towards herd immunity, interventions to improve health messaging from trusted sources for at-risk youth may be necessary to achieve higher vaccine uptake.

Medical subject headings