Effective communication of COVID-19 vaccine information to recently-arrived culturally and linguistically diverse communities from the perspective of community engagement and partnership organisations: a qualitative study

BMC Health Services Research

Research

Craig Aboltins¹  Rebecca Leigh Jessup²  Janet Pelly³  Kara Dickson⁴ 

[1] Department of Infectious Diseases, Northern Health, 3076, Epping, VIC, Australia;Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Medical Education, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia;Director of Research and Evaluation, Staying Well. Northern Health, 3076, Epping, VIC, Australia;Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Tobe University, Bundoora, Australia;Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Rural Health, Monash University, Warragul, Australia;Northern Health, 3076, Epping, VIC, Australia;School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;

关键词: Vaccine hesitancy;    Migrant;    Refugee;    Asylum seeker;    Health communication;    Qualitative research;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12913-023-09836-3

 received in 2023-02-08, accepted in 2023-07-20,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn many high-income countries, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. Barriers to engaging with essential health messaging has contributed to difficulties in following public health advice and exacerbated existing inequity in Australia. Research suggests that recently-arrived CALD populations are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and are more likely to experience vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and enablers to COVID-19 vaccination among recently-arrived CALD communities in Melbourne’s outer north and identify strategies to reduce hesitancy in this population.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from community organisations working with recently-arrived CALD communities in Melbourne’s north. This included a mix of peer (from the community) and health care workers.ResultsFifteen participants from community organisations participated in interviews. Thematic analysis identified four themes; (1) trusted sources, (2) accurate and culturally sensitive information, (3) supported pathways and (4) enablers to vaccination.ConclusionsParticipants reported a perceived lack of accurate, culturally sensitive health information and service provision as key barriers to vaccination in recently-arrived CALD communities. Participants identified a range of perceived enablers to increasing vaccination uptake in the communities they work with, including utilising established channels of communication and harnessing the communities’ strong sense of collective responsibility. Specific strategies to reduce vaccine hesitancy included identifying and utilising trusted sources (e.g. faith leaders) to disseminate information, tailoring health messages to address cultural differences, providing opportunities to contextualise information, and modifying service delivery to enhance cultural sensitivity. There is an urgent need for increased efforts from health and government agencies to build sustainable, collaborative relationships with CALD communities.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023