Social Determinants of Health and COVID-19 Behaviors and Beliefs Toward Immunizations Among Latinxs

INTRODUCTION

Sixty million Latinxs make up 26.4% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States. It is uncertain whether behaviors and beliefs of immunizations among Latinxs is influenced by social determinants of health. The purpose of this study was to examine how social determinants of health predict COVID-19 behaviors and beliefs toward immunization among Latinxs.

METHODS

In this exploratory study, 11 chapters from the National Association of Hispanic Nurses collaborated to recruit participants. The CDC National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey was adapted to measure behaviors and beliefs about immunizations of COVID-19. The Health Access Survey was used to measure social determinants of health. Instruments were available in both Spanish and English.

RESULTS

Participants (n=228) with higher education and health insurance tended to have less worry about taking the vaccine. Access to resources and practicing COVID-19 protective factors was positively associated. Alternative medicine and use of COVID-19 protective factors were negatively associated. Exposure to drugs and violence was associated with a decrease in likelihood to pursue a vaccine.

CONCLUSIONS

Latinx need education about COVID-19 and vaccinations. Access to health care services must be available. Results highlight the importance of careful measurement when assessing social determinants of health among Latinx.

A Nursing Workforce Initiative: Increasing the Latino/Hispanic BSN Workforce

Of the 3 million nurses in the United States, only 5.4% of registered nurses are Latinos. This is a grave concern since the U.S. Census' projected increase of Latinos in the United States is expected to be 28% by 2060. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine report recommended a diverse workforce in health care to improve health outcomes. However, the increase in the Latino nursing workforce continues to be low compared to with the population of Latinos in the country. The National Association of Hispanic Nurses and the University of Alabama partnered to increase the number of baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses in the workforce. BAMA-Latino Project (BAMA-L) is a Health Resources and Services Administration-funded program to increase the diversity of registered nurses in the nursing workforce. The purpose of this article is to present the development and implementation of BAMA-L.

Comparison of immunization rates of adults ages 65 years and older managed within two nurse practitioner-owned clinics with national immunization rates

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Adults ages ≥65 years are at increased risk for infectious diseases. Ensuring these individuals are fully vaccinated is imperative. The purpose of this study was to assess the immunization rates of adults ages ≥65 years managed by nurse practitioners (NPs) and compare the results with national immunization rates and Healthy People 2020 goals.

METHODS

A convenience sample of adults ages ≥65 years was obtained from two NP-managed clinics. The vaccine records of each subject were reviewed for documentation of having received five vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; influenza; pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23; pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13; and herpes zoster vaccine).

CONCLUSIONS

One hundred and fifty females (70.8%) and 62 males (29.2%) met inclusion criteria. NP-managed patients had higher immunization rates than the national averages across all five major vaccines. The herpes zoster vaccination rates exceeded the recommendations from Healthy People 2020 whereas pneumococcal and influenza rates were below.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The stocking of vaccines within the NP-managed clinics, direct billing to Medicare for Part D vaccines, and previsit care planning likely contributed to the high vaccination rates. These high immunization rates in patients managed by NPs provide support for the important role that NPs play in the care of older adults.

Excellence in Development of Health Care Providers: The Nicaragua Clinical Experience

INTRODUCTION

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 17% of the U.S. population is Latino, with an expected increase to 31% by 2060. It is imperative that we prepare students who will be future health care providers with the resources needed to care for the Latino population, specifically increasing the number of Spanish-speaking health care providers who have some understanding of the Latino culture. There is a lack of health care providers who are educated about the Latino culture and lack mentorship in the development of medical conversational Spanish.

METHOD

The Nicaragua Clinical Experience is a service learning abroad program embedded in an academic setting through the scholarship of cultural immersion, language development, health care, and leadership development of students.

CONCLUSION

The Nicaragua Clinical Experience is a unique academic program that prepares pre-health care majors to provide culturally congruent health care for the Latino population.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Students are prepared to care for Latino patients through the cultural immersion program and are also introduced to working in "team-based care" multidisciplinary groups to improve health care outcomes.