Perceived Barriers and Benefits of COVID-19 Testing among Pacific Islanders on Guam

Rachael T. Leon Guerrero (), Angelina G. Mummert, Dareon C. Rios, Niza C. Mian, Teofila P. Cruz, Chathura Siriwardhana and Richard Yanagihara
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Rachael T. Leon Guerrero: Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA
Angelina G. Mummert: Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA
Dareon C. Rios: Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA
Niza C. Mian: Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA
Teofila P. Cruz: Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, University of Guam, Mangilao, GU 96923, USA
Chathura Siriwardhana: Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Richard Yanagihara: Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: Pacific Islanders residing in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands have had among the highest COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality rates in the U.S. To reduce this disparity, we conducted a study to increase the reach and uptake of COVID-19 testing in Guam. Participants, who completed a pre-survey on demographics, health status, history of COVID-19 testing and vaccination, access to COVID-19 testing, sources of COVID-19 information, and knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 test results and transmission, were invited to attend an online educational session about COVID-19 testing and transmission and to complete a post-survey. There were significant positive changes between pre- and post-survey in knowledge and perceptions about COVID-19 testing and transmission, but changes were not necessarily due to exposure to the educational session. Compared to CHamoru participants (n = 380), Other Micronesians (n = 90) were significantly less knowledgeable about COVID-19 transmission and testing, were significantly more likely to not want to know if they had COVID-19, were more likely to believe if they did have COVID-19 there was not much that could be done for them, and that they would have difficulty in getting the needed healthcare. This study is another example of disparities in health knowledge and perceptions of certain Pacific Islander groups.

Keywords: Guam; Pacific Islanders; CHamorus; Micronesians; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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