SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Perspectives About Covid-19 Among Obese African Americans Hospitalized During the Pandemic

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This cross-sectional study examined COVID-19 knowledge and concerns among hospitalized African American patients, focusing on those with obesity. Researchers at a tertiary academic medical center surveyed COVID-19-negative Black inpatients admitted for non-COVID-related illnesses between November 2020 and March 2021. The goal was to understand how concerned obese African American patients were about COVID-19 infection and how they perceived the disease during the pandemic.<br /><br />The study was motivated by two major public health issues: African American communities were disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and obesity was known to increase the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The survey assessed participants’ knowledge, perspectives, and concerns about COVID-19, including beliefs about severity, risk, and vaccination.<br /><br />A total of 140 hospitalized Black patients participated. Overall, patients were fairly knowledgeable about COVID-19, but many overestimated the mortality rate of the virus. Obese patients recognized COVID-19 as a serious health threat, yet about one-third were resistant to vaccination. These findings suggest that even among hospitalized patients, misinformation and hesitancy remained important barriers to effective public health response.<br /><br />The authors concluded that COVID-19 posed a significant concern in this population, but persistent vaccine resistance and inaccurate perceptions of mortality highlighted challenges in protecting vulnerable communities. The study underscores the need for targeted education and outreach in African American communities, especially among patients with obesity.<br /><br />Limitations included the single-center design, incomplete enrollment due to refusal or discharge, and the possibility that responses about future behavior may not fully reflect actual behavior.

Asset Subtitle

Evelyn Gathecha

Meta Tag

Author List Che M. Harris, Evelyn Gathecha, Regina Kauffman, Thang C. Nguyen

Category Research

Concept Obesity

Concept COVID-19

Concept Severe Illness

Concept Hospitalization

Concept African American race

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Presenting Author Evelyn Gathecha

Track Other

Keywords

COVID-19

African American patients

obesity

hospitalized patients

vaccine hesitancy

public health

mortality perception

health knowledge

pandemic concerns

Black inpatients

Obesity

COVID-19

Severe Illness

Hospitalization

African American race