Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Gender Minority Communities: Focus Group Discussions

Jennifer R. Pharr (), Emylia Terry, André Wade, Amanda Haboush-Deloye, Erika Marquez and Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition
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Jennifer R. Pharr: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Emylia Terry: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
André Wade: Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Amanda Haboush-Deloye: Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Erika Marquez: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition: Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Background: People who identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experienced disproportionate economic and mental health issues related to COVID-19 when compared to the general population. The purpose of this study was to better understand how COVID-19 has impacted the SGM community and ways to address vaccine hesitancy. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted with 21 members of the SGM community between 5 November and 10 December 2020. A thematic analysis using the reflexive approach was applied to the transcripts of the focus groups. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) Impact of COVID-19 on the Community, (2) Perceptions of Contact Tracing and Testing, (3) Perceptions of a Potential COVID-19 Vaccine, and (4) Decreasing Vaccine Hesitancy. The most relevant subthemes were that social isolation led to anxiety, stress, and fear in the SGM community during COVID-19; resilience and adaptation were positive outcomes of the pandemic; histories of medical racism contributed to hesitancy to get tested; and specific messaging from trusted messengers may be needed to encourage SGM communities to get vaccinated. These findings support other COVID-19 research on the SGM community during the start of the pandemic. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the impact of the early stages of COVID-19 on the SGM community, highlighting the unique hurdles faced by SGM individuals with regard to contact tracing and vaccine hesitancy.

Keywords: sexual and gender minorities; mental health; physical health; vaccine hesitancy; contact tracers; LGBTQIA+ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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