Date of this Version

12-2021

Document Type

DNP Project

Abstract

Background: Widespread vaccination hesitancy is now a global health concern that threatens the spread of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19. The acceptance of vaccines in the Black American community is lower than other groups. With the availability of three COVID-19 vaccines in America, acceptance rates of vaccines in the Black community are lower due to inequalities within socioeconomic status, healthcare resources, and medical distrust.

Objective: The purpose of this DNP study is to evaluate whether extending education to healthcare workers/providers about COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, and communication techniques increases provider knowledge. Additional goals of the study are to increase the acceptance rates of COVID-19 vaccines in Black U.S. communities.

Methodology: Using a quantitative, pre-test/post-test study design, a group of South Florida primary care healthcare workers and providers were requested to participate. Within four weeks, they were asked to complete a pre-test evaluation, followed by a video PowerPoint presentation and a post-test evaluation. The assessed outcomes were knowledge about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, communication techniques, and cultural sensitivity.

Results: The study enlisted 10 healthcare workers. Overall, there was an 11% increase in scores when comparing the pretest and posttest scores. APRNs maintained the highest scores and had the most improvement from 88% (pretest) to 93% (Posttest). APRNs, 100% of them, felt the most comfortable discussing COVID-19 vaccines with patients that refuse or are hesitant of taking vaccines. In cultural sensitivity, APRNs improved their scores in identifying racial barriers from 33.3% to 50%, while nurses had a decrease in scores by 50% and medical assistants by 25%. Overall, for communication techniques, scores increased by 2.9%. For the clinical knowledge assessment, APRNs consistently scored at 100% in both the pretest and the posttest.

Conclusion: The Black population in the United States have been hit the hardest in the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Black individuals accept vaccines at lower rates than other races and ethnicities. They are also the most likely to suffer from higher mortality rates and complications from diseases that are preventable by vaccines. The results reinforce the established literature that healthcare providers and workers, especially APRNs, are the most trusted individuals to educate reluctant patients and convert vaccine hesitant individuals into accepting the COVID-19 vaccines.

Keywords: Vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19, vaccine acceptance, nurse practitioner, pandemic

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