Thesis
Perceptions about COVID-19 and Vaccines Among American Indians
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
01/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000003356
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/123978
Abstract
COVID-19 has been devastating for American Indians throughout the US. American Indians have been affected by COVID-19 at higher rates than other racial groups. In a study of 14 participating states, COVID-19 associated mortality among American Indian populations was 1.8 times higher than non-Hispanic Whites. COVID-19 vaccinations are the primary tool to end the pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy continues to be a barrier to wide-spread vaccination among the greater US population. The goal of this study is to provide insight into perceptions of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines among American Indians. To examine perceptions, we completed 30 in-depth, face-to-face interviews with American Indians residing on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. The reservation is located in north-central Idaho and is the home of the Nimiipuu people. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and a combination of deductive and inductive approaches were used to identify and analyze themes related to risk perceptions.Indigenous Ways of Knowing and the Health Belief Model provided the theoretical framework used to explore risk perceptions of COVID-19 and the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccinations. We focus on the six primary Health Belief Model constructs. The constructs include: Perceived susceptibility and severity, perceived benefits and risks, cues to action and self-efficacy.
Results show that perceptions of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations were heavily influenced by cultural knowledge and understanding. It was clear that American Indians believed they were susceptible, and felt that the severity of contracting the disease was high. The majority also believed in the science behind vaccines, and trusted tribal sources of information about COVID-19 and vaccinations. The results demonstrate the importance of tribal sovereignty in developing health communication strategies, and the need for messaging that is trusted and culturally congruent. Our conclusions include recommendations for future risk perception studies, and provide guiding principles for health communication with American Indians.
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Details
- Title
- Perceptions about COVID-19 and Vaccines Among American Indians
- Creators
- Rachel Evelyn Ellenwood
- Contributors
- Amanda Boyd (Advisor)Zoe Higheagle-Strong (Committee Member)Alex Tan (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 61
- Identifiers
- 99900652204901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis