Surveying rural healthcare workers for vaccine awareness and hesitancy

Abstract

Specific Aims: To compare the perceptions of rural providers and promotores regarding patient barriers and hesitation to COVID-19 immunizations. Methods: Two surveys, one for promotores and one for providers, were created to assess participants’ personal beliefs on local COVID-19 vaccination rates and hesitancy. Survey topics included questions concerning perceived vaccination rates of various groups, reasons for and against vaccination amongst patients, patient populations that would benefit most from associated interventions, and non-identifiable demographic questions. All participants were employees of Mariposa Community Health Center in Nogales, Arizona and were recruited in April – May 2022. Data were analyzed using frequencies, descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s chi-square tests. Results: Surveys were completed by 25 promotores (92% female; 96% Hispanic) and 24 providers (67% female; 50% Hispanic). Overall, 21 promotores and 23 providers believed vaccines are safe and effective (84% vs 96%; p = 0.171). Additionally, 17 promotores and 22 providers stated they were comfortable discussing vaccine topics with patients (68% vs 92%; p = 0.04). Respondents noted that they believed the most common reasons for community members not getting vaccinated against COVID-19 were misinformation (51%), fear and lack of trust (44%), side effects (31%), and personal beliefs (29%). Conclusions: With numerous respondents indicating that vaccines are not as prudent in rural areas, that they (mainly promotores) are not comfortable discussing vaccine topics, and that vaccines are not safe and effective, there are opportunities for educational interventions to encourage healthcare workers to further support immunizations to decrease vaccine hesitancy.