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Gin JL, Balut MD, Dobalian A. COVID-19 vaccination uptake and receptivity among veterans enrolled in homelessness-tailored primary health care clinics: provider trust vs. misinformation. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:24. [PMID: 38216894 PMCID: PMC10785369 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02251-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to the general population, individuals experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of excess morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 but have been vaccinated at lower rates. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)'s Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT) program integrates health care and social services for Veterans experiencing homelessness to improve access to and utilization of care. METHODS This study explores the vaccination uptake behavior and attitudes through a qualitative comparative case study of two HPACT clinics, one in California (CA) and one in North Dakota (ND). Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with Veterans enrolled in the two VA HPACT clinics from August to December 2021 with 20 Veterans (10 at each clinic). RESULTS Four themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Vaccination uptake and timing- While half of the Veterans interviewed were vaccinated, ND Veterans were more likely to be vaccinated and got vaccinated earlier than CA Veterans; (2) Housing- Unsheltered or precariously housed Veterans were less likely to be vaccinated; (3) Health Care- Veterans reporting positive experiences with VA health care and those who trusted health providers were more likely to vaccinate than those with negative or nuanced satisfaction with health care; (4) Refusers' Conspiracy Theories and Objectivity Claims- Veterans refusing the vaccine frequently mentioned belief in conspiracy theories while simultaneously asserting their search for objective information from unbiased sources. CONCLUSIONS These findings amplify the importance of improving access to population-tailored care for individuals experiencing homelessness by reducing patient loads, expanding housing program enrollment, and increasing the provider workforce to ensure personalized care. Health care providers, and housing providers, social workers, and peers, who offer information without discrediting or criticizing Veterans' beliefs, are also key to effectively delivering vaccine messaging to this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- June L Gin
- Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, 16111 Plummer St. MS-152, North Hills, CA, 91343, USA.
| | - Michelle D Balut
- Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, 16111 Plummer St. MS-152, North Hills, CA, 91343, USA
| | - Aram Dobalian
- Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, 16111 Plummer St. MS-152, North Hills, CA, 91343, USA
- Division of Health Services Management and Policy, The Ohio State University College of Public Health, 202 Cunz Hall, 1841 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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Nguyen DA, Alagbo HO, Hassan TA, Mera-Lojano LD, Abdelaziz EO, The NPN, Makram AM, Makram OM, Elsheikh R, Huy NT. Vaccine acceptance, determinants, and attitudes toward vaccine among people experiencing homelessness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:880. [PMID: 38102542 PMCID: PMC10724884 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08878-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has caused millions of deaths globally, with vulnerable populations such as people experiencing homelessness (PEH) at higher risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify the prevalence and key factors contributing to vaccine acceptance experienced by PEH. METHODS The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023391659). We included studies that reported relevant information about vaccine acceptance or vaccine hesitant/refusal among PEH. Eight databases were systematically searched in January 2023. Meta-analysis was conducted for the prevalence of vaccine acceptance, vaccine uptake, and factors associated with vaccine acceptance. Attitudes toward vaccines were combined into bar charts. RESULT A total of 29 papers were included in this systematic review and 19 papers were included for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among PEH was 66% (95%CI: 58%-73%). Our meta-regression showed vaccine acceptance was significantly increased over time. Moreover, subgroup meta-analysis showed that PEH were more likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine after June 2021 (78%, 95%CI: 65%-86%) compared with earlier period (56%, 95%CI: 54%-59%). Subgroup meta-analysis also revealed that women and participants without underlying medical condition (chronic diseases) were significantly less likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to men and those with medical conditions, respectively. CONCLUSION The study emphasizes the need for targeted public health interventions aimed at increasing vaccine acceptance among PEH, especially at the early stage of the pandemic, among females, those without underlying medical conditions, being Black (in Canada and the USA), and young people. These interventions should address the common concerns of vaccine safety, adverse effects, effectiveness, and distrust in health care systems. In addition to offering vaccinations in different areas convenient to them, education programs could be established to increase vaccine acceptance among PEH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Anh Nguyen
- Health Science Department, University of The People, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Habib Olatunji Alagbo
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan.
- V.N, Karazin National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
| | - Toka Adel Hassan
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Leonardo D Mera-Lojano
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- ASOCEM UCE - Scientific Association of Students of Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, Central University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Esraa Osama Abdelaziz
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nguyen Pham Nguyen The
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Abdelrahman M Makram
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Omar M Makram
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- Center for Health & Nature, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Randa Elsheikh
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences at Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nguyen Tien Huy
- Online Research Club, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
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Meehan AA, Cox SN, Thuo NB, Rogers JH, Link AC, Martinez MA, Lo NK, Manns BJ, Rolfes MA, Chow EJ, Chu HY, Mosites E, Al Achkar M. Previous Health Care Experiences' Influence on Health Care Perceptions Among Residents of Six Homeless Shelters in Seattle, Washington, July-October 2021. J Patient Cent Res Rev 2023; 10:111-120. [PMID: 37483554 PMCID: PMC10358972 DOI: 10.17294/2330-0698.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The study purpose was to learn and describe 1) where homeless shelter residents receive health care, 2) what contributes to positive or negative health care experiences among shelter residents, and 3) shelter resident perceptions toward health care. Methods Semi-structured interviews (SSIs) utilizing purposive sampling and focus group discussions (FGDs) utilizing convenience sampling were conducted at 6 homeless shelters in Seattle-King County, Washington, during July-October 2021. All residents (age ≥18) were eligible to participate. SSIs were conducted with 25 residents, and 8 FGDs were held. Thematic analysis was conducted using Dedoose. Results Participants received health care in settings ranging from no regular care to primary care providers. Four elements emerged as contributing positively and negatively to health care experiences: 1) ability to access health care financially, physically, and technologically; 2) clarity of communication from providers and staff about appointment logistics, diagnoses, and treatment options; 3) ease of securing timely follow-up services; and 4) respect versus stigma and discrimination from providers and staff. Participants who felt positively toward health care found low- or no-cost care to be widely available and encouraged others to seek care. However, some participants described health care in the United States as greedy, classist, discriminatory, and untrustworthy. Participants reported delaying care and self-medicating in anticipation of discrimination. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that while people experiencing homelessness can have positive experiences with health care, many have faced negative interactions with health systems. Improving the patient experience for those experiencing homelessness can increase engagement and improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley A. Meehan
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sarah N. Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Nicholas B. Thuo
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Julia H. Rogers
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Amy C. Link
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Miguel A. Martinez
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Natalie K. Lo
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Brian J. Manns
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Melissa A. Rolfes
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Eric J. Chow
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Public Health – Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA
| | - Helen Y. Chu
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Emily Mosites
- COVID-19 Emergency Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Morhaf Al Achkar
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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