Trust In Sources Research Articles

Effective communication of COVID-19 vaccine information to recently-arrived culturally and linguistically diverse communities from the perspective of community engagement and partnership organisations: a qualitative study

BackgroundIn many high-income countries, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. Barriers to engaging with essential health messaging has contributed to difficulties in following public health advice and exacerbated existing inequity in Australia. Research suggests that recently-arrived CALD populations are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and are more likely to experience vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and enablers to COVID-19 vaccination among recently-arrived CALD communities in Melbourne’s outer north and identify strategies to reduce hesitancy in this population.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from community organisations working with recently-arrived CALD communities in Melbourne’s north. This included a mix of peer (from the community) and health care workers.ResultsFifteen participants from community organisations participated in interviews. Thematic analysis identified four themes; (1) trusted sources, (2) accurate and culturally sensitive information, (3) supported pathways and (4) enablers to vaccination.ConclusionsParticipants reported a perceived lack of accurate, culturally sensitive health information and service provision as key barriers to vaccination in recently-arrived CALD communities. Participants identified a range of perceived enablers to increasing vaccination uptake in the communities they work with, including utilising established channels of communication and harnessing the communities’ strong sense of collective responsibility. Specific strategies to reduce vaccine hesitancy included identifying and utilising trusted sources (e.g. faith leaders) to disseminate information, tailoring health messages to address cultural differences, providing opportunities to contextualise information, and modifying service delivery to enhance cultural sensitivity. There is an urgent need for increased efforts from health and government agencies to build sustainable, collaborative relationships with CALD communities.

Mpox vaccine acceptability among people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco — October–November 2022

Mpox has affected many communities in the United States (U.S.), including people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Mpox vaccination has been an important tool to disrupt transmission and protect communities at risk of infection. To better understand mpox vaccine knowledge and attitudes, we surveyed 273 PEH and people accessing homeless service sites in San Francisco. Among 64 participants previously offered mpox vaccination, 38 (59 %) had received the vaccine. Among 209 participants not previously offered mpox vaccination, 108 (52 %) reported they would receive the vaccine. Vaccine acceptance was higher among transgender female participants and among male participants who reported male sex partner preference (MSM). Half of participants who declined vaccination identified that perception of personal risk and vaccine education may increase their likelihood of receiving an mpox vaccine. Leveraging trusted information sources to provide risk communication and vaccine education may increase vaccine uptake among PEH.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with vitamin D supplementation: A cross-sectional online community survey of adults in the UK.

Assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of a diverse population. Identify barriers and facilitators that inform routine vitamin D supplementation and self-care in the community setting. Cross-sectional online voluntary survey. Electronic survey link published on college Qualtrics platform and advertised widely. Study information provided with Participant Information Sheet. 556 community dwelling adults across the UK. The overarching study included two phases, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methodologies. This paper reports findings from the first phase of the FABCOM-D (Facilitators and Barriers to Community (Healthy) Vitamin D status) study. Online survey questions were iteratively developed after background literature searches and piloted to ensure clarity and ease of understanding. Survey responses summarised using frequencies and percentages, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression models explored for any association. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys guided reporting. Statistical analysis performed using IBM SPSS software. Awareness of vitamin D information sources, health benefits and testing. Attitudes to supplementation, sun exposure and fortification. Three quarters of the community had some awareness of vitamin D and around half were taking supplements. The two most trusted sources of information included health professionals and the NHS website. Participants were willing to pay for supplements, supporting a self-care agenda. With increasing age, there was significant reduced intake of vitamin D supplements. This aspect needs to be explored further as this could be a concern in deficiency status in the elderly. There was acceptance of food fortification but uncertainty on how to balance food intake with supplementation. We were successful in eliciting views on KAPs around vitamin D from a community population including a large proportion of Black and Minority Ethnic individuals. The community wanted information and guidance to help manage individual vitamin D status, especially for high-risk groups, and on balancing supplementation, food fortification and sun exposure.

Internet and social media preferences of orthopaedic patients vary according to factors such as age and education levels.

Patients can often access the internet and social media for health information but it is not clear how much they trust and use the information retrieved. To investigate the social media and internet use rates and preferences of orthopaedic patients, to reveal to what extent they self-treat, and to probe the affecting factors. Two thousand fifty-eight patients admitted to an orthopaedic polyclinic were asked to fill out a survey (voluntarily) consisting of 15 items, to collect demographic data, preference for platforms and sources used, trusted sources, and the extent to which information obtained was used for self-care. The most preferred and most trusted sources of information were Google and other search engines, and physicians' personal websites (p < 0.001). Variables such as age, gender, educational level and occupation affect the research preferences. Reliance on social media decreases with increasing educational levels (p < 0.001). Health information and knowledge services should work with health professionals to improve aspects of health literacy among orthopaedic patients.

Hyperledger fabric platform for healthcare trust relations—Proof-of-Concept

In recent years, blockchain technologies have expanded from the finance field to other areas that rely on trust-based solutions. The healthcare industry represents one such area, as digital transformation disrupts relationships between patients, healthcare professionals, and healthcare institutes. Patients and healthcare institutes lack a proficient tool to verify the credentials of medical professionals in a digital environment. Furthermore, healthcare professionals lack a tool where they are in control over their credentials. The first contribution of this paper is a proposal of a solution that leverages the private permissioned Hyperledger Fabric blockchain and smart contracts to provide a source of transparent trust for relationships within the healthcare industry. Second, we pave the ground for GDPR compliance by storing only the hash values on the blockchain. Third, we solve the problem of patient authentication by utilizing cryptographic techniques. Finally, we prove the usability of the proposed solution by implementing a user interface and creating a live deployment.

Intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the united states: Sociodemographic factors and personal experiences with COVID-19.

Information regarding vaccination and the association with individuals' characteristics, experiences, and information sources is important for crafting public health campaigns to maximize uptake. Our objective was to investigate factors associated with intentions for COVID-19 vaccination among a sample of U.S. adults using a population-based cross-sectional survey. Data were collected via an online questionnaire administered nationwide from January 4, to January 7, 2021 following the emergency use authorization for two SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccines. Of 936 U.S. adult respondents, 66% stated an intention to be vaccinated once a COVID-19 vaccine was available to them; 14.7% responded "maybe" and 19.6% "no." Unadjusted and multivariate associations revealed "no/maybe" vaccination intentions were associated with younger age, female, Black race, lower income, history of not receiving the influenza vaccine, lower fear of COVID-19, suffering moderate to severe reduction in access to food/nutrition, and lower trust in health care authorities, personal health care providers, and/or traditional news media as sources of COVID-19 information. Of respondents "maybe" intending to be vaccinated, 65% reported "a lot" of trust in personal health care providers as sources of COVID-19 information. Respondents stating "no" intention to be vaccinated were skeptical of all COVID-19 information sources considered. Our findings confirm observations predating COVID-19 vaccine availability regarding sociodemographic characteristics associated with vaccine hesitancy in the United States. We further identify personal health care providers as the most trusted information source among people who "maybe" intend to get vaccinated and demonstrate the challenge in reaching people not intending to be vaccinated. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Clinical trial participation among underserved communities: Insights from the Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance

BackgroundDiverse, equitable and inclusive participation in clinical research is needed to ensure evidence-based clinical practice and lessen disparities in health outcomes. Yet, clinical trial participation remains critically low in minoritized communities, particularly among Blacks. The Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance against COVID-19 Disparities (LA-CEAL) was launched in response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black Louisianans to understand community barriers and preferences and increase inclusive participation in research. This study aims to understand perceptions regarding COVID-19 trial participation among underrepresented Louisianans. MethodsA rapid assessment integrating cross-sectional, surveys among federally qualified health center (FQHC) patients and community residents, and focus group discussions (FGDs) from community representatives was conducted in 2020-2021. Factors and perceptions underlying trial participation were identified using logistic regression models and thematic analyses, respectively. ResultsQuantitative findings (FQHC: N=908, mean age=46.6 years, 66.4% Black; community: N=504, mean age=54.2 years, 93.7% Black) indicated that 0.9% and 3.6%, respectively, ever participated in a COVID-19 trial. Doctors/Healthcare providers were most trusted (FQHC=55.1%; community=59.3%) sources of information about trials. Advancing age was associated with increased odds of being very willing to participate (ORFQHC=1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05; ORCommunity=1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04). Qualitative data (6 FGDs, 29 attendees) revealed limited awareness, experimentation/exploitation-based fears, and minimal racial/ethnic representation among trialists as barriers to participation. ConclusionCOVID-19 trial participation rates were low in our sample. Altruism was a key facilitator to participation; fear, mistrust, and low awareness were predominant barriers. Community-centered approaches, engaging informed providers and trusted community members, may facilitate inclusive trial participation.

Resources used and trusted regarding child health information by culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia: An online cross-sectional survey

BackgroundParents’ play a proactive role in seeking health information to ensure optimal growth and development for their children. To date, very little is known about the differences between information seeking behaviour for child health and engagement with resources between culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and non-CALD parents. ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in resources used and trusted for information related to child health behaviours and engagement with online features among CALD and non-CALD respondents in Australia. MethodsAn analysis of a theory informed online cross-sectional survey was conducted using data from 122 CALD and 399 non-CALD parents who had a child younger than 24 months or were currently pregnant in Australia. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared were used to compare the differences, and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with using health resources. ResultsThe most trusted sources for information reported by respondents were health professionals (76.2 %), websites run by health professionals (59.5 %), and government websites (53.2 %). Social media was significantly more trusted as a source of information for child health behaviours among CALD respondents than non-CALD respondents (odds ratio (OR) 1.92, P = 0.01). In contrast, booklets/ pamphlets and friends were significantly more trusted by non-CALD parents than for CALD parents (OR 0.54, P = 0.02). General search engines were used very frequently among CALD respondents for child health information (39.3 % vs 24.1 %, p = 0.013). Overall, the most common features respondents enjoyed on websites were images (81 %), videos (40.1 %), and discussion forums (39.9 %). CALD respondents significantly favoured videos (p = 0.003) while non-CALD respondents preferred obtaining information through attachments (p < 0.001). ConclusionsDespite parents’ reporting health professionals, websites run by health professionals, and government websites as trustworthy, general search engines and social media were still the most frequently used information source for parents with young children. Credible resources parents deem as trustworthy should take into account effective and engaging means of disseminating information that are accessible to both CALD and non-CALD communities.

Identifying Trusted Sources of Lyme Disease Prevention Information Among Internet Users Connected to Academic Public Health Resources: Internet-Based Survey Study.

Misinformation about Lyme disease and other tick-transmitted pathogens circulates frequently on the internet and can compete with, or even overshadow, science-based guidance on tick-borne disease (TBD) prevention. We surveyed internet users connected to academic tick-related resources to identify trusted sources of Lyme disease prevention information, explore confidence in tick bite prevention information, and examine associations of these responses with answers to commonly disputed issues. The survey was conducted through social media and website pages for Western Connecticut State University Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory and the University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center. Respondents (N=1190) were predominantly female (903/1190, 76.3%), middle-aged (574/1182, 48.6%), and resided in New England states (663/1190, 55.7%). In total 984 of 1186 (83%) respondents identified conventional experts (eg, the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] or other government health agencies, physicians who follow Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for Lyme disease treatment guidelines, and academics) as trustworthy TBD prevention resources. However, nearly one-fourth of respondents would first consult personal contacts and web-based communities regarding prevention information before consulting conventional expert sources. The opinions of public health experts and physicians were rated among the top motivators underlying personal prevention decisions; yet, more than 50% of participants revealed distrustful attitudes toward, or were uncertain about, CDC-supported statements related to time to transmission of Lyme disease (708/1190, 59.5%), the safety of diethyltoluamide-based repellents for children (604/1183, 51.1%), and recommended use of antibiotic prophylaxis (773/1181, 65.4%). Multimodal regression models revealed that participants from high-Lyme-disease-incidence states were more likely to first seek TBD prevention information from personal networks and nontraditional sources before approaching conventional sources of TBD prevention information. We found that those reporting high rates of social media usage were more than twice as likely to first seek traditional expert sources of prevention information but were overall more likely to reject CDC-promoted Lyme disease information, in particular the established time to transmission of Lyme disease bacteria. Models also predicted that those participants who disagreed with the conventional scientific view on the antibiotic prophylaxis prevention statement were less likely to be confident in their ability to protect themselves from a tick bite. Overall, uncertainty in one's ability to protect oneself against tick bites was strongly associated with uncertainty about beliefs in CDC-promoted TBD prevention information. Self-reported trust in experts and frequency of social media use suggest that these platforms may provide opportunities to engage directly with the public about TBD prevention practices. Using strategies to improve public trust and provide information where the public engages on social media may improve prevention communication and adoption of best practices.

Pelatihan aplikasi Komputer Santri MDQH (Ma’had Darul Quran Wal-Hadist Almajidiah Asy-Syafi’ah) NWDI-Pancor

In public perception, religious scholars (Ulama) serve as highly trusted sources of information, particularly within Indonesian society. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that Ulama possesses adequate digital literacy to convey accurate and reliable information. This study aims to provide computer training to the students (santri) of Ma'had MQDH NW Pancor, enabling them to master relevant computer technologies and applications. The training primarily focuses on internet literacy and Microsoft Office applications, employing a combination of lectures and hands-on practice. Ten participants from various levels of study were involved in the program, which took place at Laboratory 1, Faculty of Engineering, Hamzanwadi University. The results of the training revealed that 57.1% of the participants expressed high satisfaction levels, while 71.4% reported an increase in their understanding after completing the training. In conclusion, this computer training program has demonstrated positive benefits in enhancing the digital comprehension and skills of the students, preparing them to tackle digital challenges in the future.

Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination Among Pregnant Persons in Urban Hospital-Affiliated Practices: Exploring Themes in Vaccine Hesitancy.

To explore beliefs and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine among vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant persons in order to identify reasons for both vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake. From June-August 2021, we conducted a qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews with pregnant persons (n = 30). Participants were recruited from university-owned obstetric practices during prenatal and ultrasound appointments. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed; transcripts were coded and analyzed to identify themes and subthemes. Of the participants, one-third (n = 10) had received the COVID-19 vaccine, while two-thirds (n = 20) were unvaccinated. Primary themes for unvaccinated participants were concern about the paucity of research on the vaccine in pregnancy and potential impact of the vaccine on both fetal development and maternal health. For vaccinated participants, main themes included potential maternal and fetal protection from COVID-19 and anticipated health complications from contracting COVID-19 as their motivations to get vaccinated. While most participants cited healthcare providers as the most trusted source of vaccine information, a majority reported that the internet was their primary source of vaccine information. Many participants wanted to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine from their obstetric providers, and notably, most vaccinated participants reported the importance of their obstetrician in their vaccine decision-making process. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is prevalent among pregnant persons, with concerns for vaccine safety for their fetus, as well as for themselves, being common. Obstetric providers must therefore be prepared to address common concerns with patients during prenatal appointments, taking the time to actively recommend vaccination.

‘A Different Ball Game’: Adaptation of a men’s health program for implementation in rural Australia

BackgroundMen residing in rural areas are less likely to participate in weight management interventions than women, and few men-specific programs target rural areas. Aussie-Fans in Training (Aussie-FIT) is an evidence-based weight management intervention that uses professional Australian Football club affiliations and settings as a ‘hook’ to engage urban-residing men. The aim of this study is to report on how findings from rural stakeholder focus groups were used to inform the adaptation of Aussie-FIT for implementation in rural areas.MethodsSeven focus groups with stakeholders (n = 24) in three rural towns explored existing weight management and physical activity provisions, barriers and facilitators to engaging men, and considerations for adapting Aussie-FIT for implementation in rural contexts. Qualitative data were analysed using the framework approach. Adaptations made to the Aussie-FIT program and strategies to implement the program in rural contexts were reported using a structured framework.ResultsThemes generated from our analysis include limited appealing services for men, Australian Football as a ‘common language’, the influence of the ‘smaller fishpond’(population), considerations for program inclusivity, and the importance of local partner organisations for sustainability. We adapted the recruitment and marketing strategies, delivery settings, football program theme and partnerships for rural implementation. Stakeholders advised that an Australian Football program theme without specific local club affiliations would be important to avoid alienating men with differing club allegiances or non-sporting backgrounds. A multi-component recruitment strategy utilising local trusted sources, and program marketing that aligns with masculine ideals were considered important by stakeholders in small communities where ‘people talk’.ConclusionsRural areas were described as ‘a different ball game’ due to limited local services and resources in comparison to metropolitan areas. Study findings have synergies with previous studies undertaken in rural contexts including in relation to the power of word of mouth, the importance of trust, and local partner organisations. Findings have implications for engaging rural men in health interventions in rural contexts where professional sporting contexts are not available. Assessing the extent to which the adapted Aussie-FIT program can reach and engage men in rural Australia, and exploring the barriers and facilitators to delivering the program in rural contexts is required.

Health Behaviors of Albanian Students at the University of Medicine During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected humanity in all life areas, particularly stress levels and mental health issues. Objectives: The present research aimed to explore the knowledge, stress level, social distancing, and mental health of the students at the University of Medicine in Albania during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted an anonymous online-based validated survey. We used the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) and the perception of COVID-19’s impact (PCI) on well-being. The study’s inclusion criteria included having access to the Internet and being a student at the University of Medicine in Tirana, Albania. We used the statistical package SPSS 26.0 in this study. To analyze numeric variables, we used descriptive statistics and the chi-square test to analyze cross-tabulations of the survey response data for categorical variables. Results: Out of 521 students participating in our study (median age = 20 (1.3) years), 484 (92.9%) were female, and 37 (7.1%) were male; 62.4% had an adequate understanding of the transmission ways of COVID-19 (P = 0.0002); 16.8% of the students reported that social distancing had a significant impact on their psychological status, while 6.33% reported a moderate impact, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.0001). Concerning the students’ approach to trusted sources of information during the COVID-19 pandemic, 85.4% reported that they trusted information from friends, 11.1% from the World Health Organization (WHO), and 2.1% from the government (P = 0.0001). We observed a positive correlation according to Pearson chi-square and the likelihood ratio tests between treatment for health problems and health risks of the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.0041); 4.4% of students have reported being treated for mental health issues during the COVID-19-related quarantine period (P = 0.0002). Conclusions: Future lockdown strategies should consider the detrimental effects on student mental health. Based on the findings of our study, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant distress among students. Universities should also adopt a creative and supportive approach to encourage and tackle students’ mental health problems during a pandemic.

When Does Competence Matter? Character as a Moderator in the Development of Trust.

This article examines the relationship between the two fundamental attributes of the trustee: character and competence. Although the trust research predominantly adopts an additive perspective, our research emphasizes a moderation (i.e., multiplicative) relationship and the significance of their interaction. We find that competence is an important but not always reliable predictor of trust. First, the positive effect of competence is conditional on the trustee's high character. Second, higher competence can have a lower marginal effect as character decreases. Furthermore, situational assurance weakens the effect of character on competence, which explains the additive joint effect found in previous research. Our modified trust game also makes a methodological contribution by examining the interaction between the various personal and situational sources of trust (as compared with the lone operationalization of character in the classic trust game). We discuss the shortcomings of the additive perspective and the implications of our method and findings.

Governance and trust in sustainability-based agri-food value chains. A comparative analysis of five cases in Germany

Value chains that generate an increased willingness to pay among consumers by offering enhanced levels of sustainability are widely discussed as an important strategy for creating new business opportunities and fostering food system transformation. Previous research has highlighted the importance of governance arrangements to secure the trust necessary for the establishment of sustainability-based value chains. However, how different coordination designs by private and public actors along the value chain affect trust formation is not well understood. To address this question, this paper combines the concepts of hybrid governance and multidimensional trust to guide a comparative analysis of five sustainability-based agri-food value chains in Germany as exemplary case studies. The findings show that different types of governance activities are necessary to build the capacity to address four different sources of trust: dispositional, affinitive, rational and procedural trust. Building trust capacities facilitates coordination of activities along the value chain and reliable delivery of sustainability-related value propositions. In all five cases, governance arrangements and building of trust capacities were geared towards increasing willingness to pay. Sustainability-based agri-food value chains have therefore limited potential to internalize the agri-food sector’s substantial negative externalities.

Increasing Understanding of Research and Development in the University of North Sumatra Student Organization

The low level of scientific publications in the academic environment is inseparable from limited interests and skills. Efforts are needed to strengthen insight, methodological knowledge, and skills. Students as an integral part in the development of knowledge, are expected to have high interest and motivation in conducting research. So far, the research produced by students has not shown a significant trend. Various causes of problems arise, starting from limitations in formulating ideas, preparing proposals, submitting proposals, determining publications and motivating students to carry out research. It is important for students who are members of the commissariat of the Islamic Student Association of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of the University of North Sumatra to be given training in strengthening research knowledge and training in organizational development. The objectives of the training activities include; First, strengthening research insights and assisting in strengthening research problems. Second, training on how to prepare research proposals. Third, assistance and guidance in finding trusted sources of publications. Overall, this training was carried out using participatory techniques, participants were actively involved in all stages of training activities. The output of the service recommends that the participants of the activity carry out various research trainings, in order to improve their abilities, and maintain a high motivational rhythm from students in conducting research. Furthermore, coaching and mentoring for the greatest students in student organizations must be carried out on an ongoing basis.

Is the Underlying Asset an Effective Source of Trust: Evidence from Indonesian Sukuk Market

Is the Underlying Asset an Effective Source of Trust: Evidence from Indonesian Sukuk Market

Barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Australian health professional students during the pandemic: a nationwide study

Using a cross-sectional online survey we investigated knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception about COVID-19 vaccination and identified factors influencing vaccine uptake among Australian health professional students from October 2021 to January 2022. We analysed data from 1114 health professional students from 17 Australian universities. Most participants were enrolled in nursing programs (n = 958, 86.8%), and 91.6% (n = 858) of the participants received COVID-19 vaccination. Approximately 27% believed COVID-19 was no more serious than seasonal influenza and that they had a low risk of acquiring COVID-19. Nearly 20% disagreed that COVID-19 vaccines in Australia were safe and perceived they were at higher-risk of acquiring COVID infection than the general population. Higher-risk perception viewing vaccination as their professional responsibility, and vaccine mandate strongly predicted vaccination behaviour. Participants consider COVID-19 information from health professionals, government websites, and World Health Organization as the most trusted information sources. The findings highlight that healthcare decision-makers and university administrators need to monitor students’ hesitancy with vaccination to improve students’ promotion of the vaccination to the general population.

Empowering Youth Vaccine Ambassadors to Promote COVID-19 Vaccination in Local Communities: A 7-Step Approach.

Despite the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for youth since 2021, vaccine hesitancy has resulted in suboptimal uptake. Public health campaigns that empower local youth ambassadors as trusted messengers who share their personal narratives related to getting vaccinated hold promise for promoting COVID-19 vaccination. We used a seven-step approach to develop, implement, and evaluate a youth-led ambassador campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake in communities experiencing COVID-19 disparities in Worcester, MA. The seven steps included (1) engaging with key partners, (2) determining a community of focus, (3) identifying trusted sources, (4) determining campaign components, (5) training the vaccine ambassadors, (6) disseminating the campaign, and (7) evaluating the campaign. We trained nine youth as vaccine ambassadors. Ambassadors were guided through self-reflection of motivations for COVID-19 vaccination and the resulting personal narratives became the campaign messaging. English/Spanish vaccine messages developed by youth ambassadors were disseminated through social media platforms (n = 3), radio (n = 2), local TV (n = 2), flyers (n = 2,086), posters (n = 386), billboards (n = 10), and local bus ads (n = 40). Qualitative youth feedback indicate participation in the campaign was a positive and empowering experience which reinforces the importance of engaging youth in public health messaging. Youth empowerment through personal narratives (and storytelling) holds promise for future public health campaigns.

Assessing the Role of Trust in Public Health Agencies and COVID-19 Vaccination Status Among a Community Sample of African Americans in North Carolina.

Mistrust of the government and medical establishments are prominent reasons for vaccine hesitancy among African Americans (AAs). As COVID-19 research evolves in real time with some uncertainties remaining, AA communities may be less trusting of public health agencies. The purpose of these analyses was to assess the association between trust in public health agencies that recommend the COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination status among AAs in North Carolina. A 75-item cross-sectional survey, the Triad Pastors Network COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccination survey, was developed and administered to African Americans in North Carolina. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between levels of trust in public health agencies who recommend the COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 vaccination status among AAs. Of the 1157 AAs included in these analyses, approximately 14% of AAs had not received the COVID-19 vaccine. These findings indicated that lower levels of trust in public health agencies significantly decreased the odds of getting the COVID-19 vaccination compared to those with higher levels of trust among AAs. The most trusted source for information on COVID-19 included federal agencies among all respondents. Among the vaccinated, primary care physicians were another trusted source of information. Pastors were anothertrusted source for those willing to be vaccinated. Despite the majority of the respondents in this sample receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, subgroups of AAs remain unvaccinated. Federal agencies have a high level of trust among AA adults; however, innovative approaches are needed to reach AAs who remain unvaccinated.