COVID-19 prevention behaviors, trust, and intent to vaccinate among youth at risk for HIV

PLoS One. 2022 Mar 31;17(3):e0266321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266321. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The current study examines COVID-19 prevention behaviors and vaccine intentions among 83 youth at high risk for HIV. Most youth self-identified as Latinx (52%), cisgender men (84%), and homosexual (66%). Youth self-reported COVID-19 prevention behaviors and intentions to vaccinate. Participants reported wearing face masks, washing hands, and staying six feet apart, but fewer reported leaving home only for essential needs. About one-third reported that they would not get a vaccine, and lack of trust in their doctors and the government were significantly associated with non-intention. To improve efforts towards herd immunity, interventions to improve health messaging from trusted sources for at-risk youth may be necessary to achieve higher vaccine uptake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Trust
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Vaccines