Supporting Tourism by Assessing the Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination for Travel Reasons

The persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus imposed vaccination passports for traveling in most countries. We investigated psychological factors that predict the intention to vaccinate for travel. In a cross-sectional study, we examined how demographic variables, vaccination status, perceived risk of infection and severity of disease contracted at travel destination, safety and effectiveness of vaccines against contracting COVID-19 during travel, and conspiracy beliefs are related to intention to vaccinate for travel. Further analyses involved differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in a Romanian sample regarding conspiracy beliefs, attitudes about vaccines, and self-efficacy of controlling COVID-19 infection. Results showed that the intention to vaccinate for travel reasons is best predicted by vaccination status and perceptions of safety and efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19. Thus, vaccinated individuals believing that vaccines are safe and effective most probably will take another vaccine booster if it will allow them to travel. Positive relationships of the intention to vaccinate for travel reasons were found with age, vaccination status, conspiracy beliefs, perceptions of safety and effectiveness of vaccines, intention to travel, and a more cautious approach to travel. No significant relationships were found between perceptions of risk for self or for transmitting the disease to others, severity of disease, and the intention to vaccinate for travel. We also found significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants, as unvaccinated participants showed higher levels of conspiracy beliefs and less trust in the safety and efficacy of vaccines. We conclude that campaigns focused on promoting information on the safety and efficacy of vaccines is the most important direction for promoting vaccination in young travelers.

Perceptions of risk factors associated with coronary disease

This study aimed to analyze the perception of patients and the prevalence of systemic and oral risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This is a quali-quantitative study in which 56 patients with CAD had quantitative and qualitative data collected and analyzed. Of the 56 patients who made up the sample, 41 had their oral cavity examined and 11 were interviewed. Of this total, 46.42% have no education; 64.28% are unemployed; 72.41% have low family income; 25% are smokers; 17.85 are obese; 76.78% have hypertension; 30.36% diabetes; and 64.29% admitted having inadequate eating habits. In the qualitative analysis, 4 (four) categories emerged from the interviews and it was possible to identify, in general, the lack of knowledge of risk factors regardless of education level. In general, it was observed that, in this study, the social and demographic conditions and morbidity rates of the studied population were worse than the average of data from regional and national registries. The perception of risk factors as a cause of CAD was low and regardless of education level. The population studied showed a higher prevalence of risk factors when compared to regional and national averages. These facts may have increased the subjects' vulnerability and contributed to the development of CAD.

Caring During COVID-19: Inequalities in Resource- and Information-Sharing by Race, Ethnicity, and Nativity

Americans experienced significant challenges as a result of the pandemic, further magnifying the weak U.S. social safety net. With few institutional supports available, individuals turned to each other for assistance. Relying on multiple nationally representative surveys, this study examines resource-sharing by race, ethnicity, and nativity over a one-year period during COVID-19. Furthermore, this study examines knowledge-related behaviors, such as information-seeking and information-sharing, which were also important tools utilized during the pandemic. Differences in both resource- and information-sharing contributed to disparities in the perceptions of risk, the reported levels of need, and concomitant behaviors linked to well-being. This research emphasizes the importance of personal relationships during times of crisis, and the role of social connections in shaping health and economic inequalities between minority- and non-minority populations.

Nursing Staff Perceptions of Risk Outcomes in Delivering Preference-Based Person-Centered Care

Effective management of the perceived risks associated with delivering preference-based person-centered care (PBPCC) is historically challenging for nursing home staff. Existing research lacks the granularity needed to guide clinicians who fear negative health and safety outcomes for residents. This study examined direct-care nursing staff perceptions of outcomes associated with delivering PBPCC. Participants (N=27) worked in NHs experiencing 6-12 health citations, were mostly female (85%), and represented diverse ages, race, education, and collective work experience in NHs. Content analysis of verbatim transcripts from 12 focus groups identified an overarching theme of: “person-centered outcomes related to risk engagement”; and sub-themes of: harms to staff (e.g. fear, frustration, guilt); harms to residents (e.g. negative moods and behaviors, physical discomfort); and positive shared outcomes (e.g. building nurse-resident relationships, positive care environment). Implications for risk management that improves quality of care and life outcomes in a post-COVID era will be discussed.

In Their Own Words: A Study on COVID-19-Related Concerns and Perceptions of Risk Among Older University Employees

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine COVID-19-related concerns and risk perceptions among older employees aged 50+ related to reopening a large state university campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recruitment focused on older employees from diverse backgrounds and job classifications. Six focus group interviews, with a total of 24 participants, were conducted using Zoom video conferencing. Interviews were transcribed using Zoom and were double-checked for accuracy. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using ATLAS.ti 9 after establishing inter-rater reliability among two coders. During the campus reopening, older employees reported several concerns and perceptions of risk focused on COVID-19 exposure and transmission to others, individual health and health of other household members, mental health and stress, and job security. Findings were used to inform the development of intervention strategies and resources to promote the health and well-being among older employees during the pandemic.