Community organization perspectives on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and how they increased COVID-19 vaccine confidence: a Canadian Immunization Research Network, social sciences and humanities network study.

Background: COVID-19 vaccines play a critical role in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and despite vaccine availability, disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Canadian subgroups exist. Community organizations are uniquely situated to relay important vaccine messaging around all vaccines, understand components of vaccine hesitancy, and facilitate vaccine uptake within the communities they serve. The objective of this research was to solicit community organizations perspectives specific to COVID-19 vaccines and explore strategies of increasing vaccine uptake within their communities. Methods: A qualitative focus group study was held in the spring of 2021 with 40 community organizations from across the country. Discussions focused on COVID-19 vaccine communication and awareness within their communities, vaccine misinformation, and strategies to increase vaccine acceptance and access. Data were analyzed utilizing thematic and inductive techniques. Results: Vaccine hesitancy was identified among staff and clients. Vaccine confidence, complacency, convenience, and mistrust in government and authorities were identified as contributors to vaccine hesitancy. Community organizations utilized innovative and novel methods to encourage vaccine uptake and increase vaccine confidence. Leveraging established trusting relationships was key to successful messaging within communities. Conclusion: Community organizations used innovative methods, built on established trust, to increase vaccine confidence within their communities and among their staff. Community agencies played an important role in COVID-19 vaccine uptake within subgroups of the Canadian population. Community organizations are key public health partners and play a critical role in increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence.

Exploring diabetes management amongst immigrant Sikhs in the Greater Toronto Area: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the ethnocultural influences associated with managing diabetes (Type 2) in a small sample of older Sikh immigrants in Toronto, Canada. The South Asian community, which includes Sikhs, is the fastest growing immigrant population, the second largest visible minority in Canada, and is five times more likely to have diabetes than their Canadian counterparts. The relationship between culture, immigration, and management of diabetes has been recognized, but research of how these areas intersect in the Sikh community is sparse. DESIGN: Data were collected using qualitative semi-structured interviews, and participants were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analysed using constant comparative methods. RESULTS: The complexities of diabetes management are organized in this study as the (1) external (2) internal and (3) actualized experiences participants faced navigating cultural dynamics, understanding their diagnosis, and interacting with health resources. CONCLUSION: An individual's diabetes diagnosis and treatment plan interacts with layers beyond the health system which must be understood in order to provide health care that is truly an empowering resource.