(P12-009-23) Attitudes Toward the COVID-19 Vaccine According to Weight Status Among NH Hispanic/Latino Adults

Objectives: To assess COVID-19 vaccination rates and attitudes according to weight status among Hispanic/Latino adults residing in New Hampshire.

Methods: This cross-sectional phone-based survey included 130 Hispanic/Latino adults residing in New Hampshire, was administered from September 2021 to March 2022 in English or Spanish, and included questionnaires on COVID-19 vaccination status (Phase 3.2 Household Pulse Survey) and weight history. Responses were scored as indicated by questionnaire developers. Responses to open-ended questions about vaccine attitudes were coded using inductive thematic analysis. Pearson’s chi-squared test was applied to assess vaccine attitudes according to weight status using R.

Results: Participants (mean (SD) age=46.4 (14.5) years; 81% female) were predominantly US immigrants (74%) or originally from Puerto Rico (22%). There was a high prevalence of overweight (43%) and obesity (39%), with a self-reported body mass index (BMI) of 28.6 (5.7) kg/m2. During the data collection period, 92% of participants had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The main reasons for vaccine hesitancy among unvaccinated individuals (N=10) included concerns about side effects (N=6), uncertainty about vaccine effectiveness (N=6) or safety (N=5), and lack of trust (N=5). Among the 120 participants who received at least one dose, the main reasons for vaccination included protection of self, family, and others (N=65), awareness of vaccine effectiveness (N=24), and institutional requirements (N=21). Protection was chosen as a main reason for vaccination by 48% of adults with healthy BMI, 48% of adults with overweight, and 72% of adults with obesity (p=0.04). Other reasons for vaccination did not differ by BMI.

Conclusions: Protection was the primary reason for COVID-19 vaccination, particularly among Hispanic/Latino adults with obesity. These results are relevant to strategies in vaccination public health campaigns targeted toward this population. Next steps will include a characterization of obesity comorbidities and health behaviors, including diet, with respect to vaccine attitudes.

Funding Sources: University of New Hampshire Collaborative Research Excellence (CoRE) Initiative