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. 2025 Jan 23;20(1):e0317794.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317794. eCollection 2025.

Characteristics influencing COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Spanish-speaking Latine persons in North Carolina

Sandy K Aguilar-Palma  1 , Thomas P McCoy  2 , Lilli Mann-Jackson  1 , Jorge Alonzo  1 , Mohammed Sheikh Eldin Jibriel  3 , Dorcas Mabiala Johnson  3 , Tony Locklear  3 , Amanda E Tanner  3 , Mark A Hall  1   4 , Alain G Bertoni  5 , Ana D Sucaldito  1 , Laurie P Russell  6 , Scott D Rhodes  1
Affiliations

Characteristics influencing COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Spanish-speaking Latine persons in North Carolina

Sandy K Aguilar-Palma et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Latine populations in the United States continue to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 with high rates of infection and mortality. Our community-based participatory research partnership examined factors associated with COVID-19 testing and vaccination within a particularly hidden, underserved, and vulnerable population: Spanish-speaking Latines.

Methods: In 2023, native Spanish-speaking Latine interviewers conducted phone-based structured individual assessments with 180 Spanish-speaking, predominantly immigrant Latines across North Carolina. We used univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine associations between participant characteristics and COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Results: Participant mean age was 41.7 (SD = 13), and 77.2% of the sample reported being cisgender women. Most participants reported immigrating from Latin American countries (89.9%), being uninsured (66.1%), and lacking US immigration documentation (51.1%). While most reported ever being COVID-19 tested (83.3%) and ever being vaccinated against COVID-19 (84.4%), only 24% were up to date with vaccination. Nearly half of the sample reported one or more barriers to COVID-19 testing, and over one-quarter reported one or more barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Higher educational attainment was significantly associated with ever being tested (P = .031). Fewer concerns about the vaccine, including fewer worries about side effects and having more confidence in vaccine effectiveness and safety, was associated with ever being vaccinated (P < .001).

Conclusions: Spanish-speaking Latines face barriers to getting tested and vaccinated against COVID-19. Although ever testing and ever vaccination rates were high, being up to date with recommended vaccinations was low. Educational attainment and concerns about the vaccine were associated with COVID-19 testing and vaccination, respectively. Our findings suggest the need for culturally congruent strategies to address the challenges facing Spanish-speaking Latines in the United States.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

References

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