The impact of COVID-19 among Black women: evaluating perspectives and sources of information

Abstract

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has burgeoned into a pandemic that highlights the countless social and health disparities that have existed in Black communities within the United States for centuries. Recent epidemiological data show that Black communities are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. For Black women in particular, a longstanding history of systemic racism and marginalization has resulted in increased vulnerability and susceptibility to certain adverse health outcomes. Recent data show that COVID-19 knowledge rates among Black participants are low, and that Black women who become infected with COVID-19 have higher risks of complications and mortality compared to their non-Black counterparts. Given this data, there is a need to explore where and how Black women are obtaining information that pertains to COVID-19, along with the impacts that COVID-19 may be having on their daily lives. Design: We conducted interviews with 15 Black women who are clients at a community-based family service center to assess their understanding of COVID-19, determine how they were obtaining COVID-19 information, and evaluate the various impacts that COVID-19 was having on their lives. An initial codebook was developed based on the recorded interviews which included deductive and inductive codes. A thematic analysis of the data was then conducted using MaxQDA (Verbi Software), focusing on Black women's experiences related to COVID-19. Results: The majority of participants were using a combination of social media platforms and news sources to obtain information about COVID-19. Most participants (79%) expressed confusion, misunderstanding, and mistrust of the information that they were receiving about COVID-19. Conclusion: In addressing COVID-19-related health disparities within Black communities, it is imperative for trusted entities and organizations within Black communities to provide accurate and tailored information regarding this novel virus.

“It’s possibly made us feel a little more alienated”: How people from ethnic minority communities conceptualise COVID-19 and its influence on engagement with testing

“…Recent studies from the US have highlighted similar issues of mistrust in healthcare and government among African Americans, 27 with decades of racism, marginalisation and discrimination isolated communities and making them particularly vulnerable and susceptible to COVID-19. 28,29 Our work is the first to emphasise the impacts of this historical mistrust on the UK test, trace and isolate systems. It is vital that consistent efforts are made to work with community champions and leaders during and beyond the pandemic, to start to shift and reframe beliefs, towards a more positive narrative that positions institutions such as the NHS as being equally welcoming and there for everybody.…”

“…So, even though they had symptoms, they were very reluctant to go, because they were worried that they might not have it, but by exposing themselves to people at the test centre that have it, that they themselves will catch it. (Ivorian, Female, 29) Majority of participants also expressed they lacked the necessary knowledge and skills required to access the testing-booking system, with limited IT skills and access to smart devices.…”

“COVID affected us all:” the birth and postnatal health experiences of resettled Syrian refugee women during COVID-19 in Canada

“…COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions have had a profound impact on the physical and socioemotional health of mothers and families around the globe [ 9 , 10 ], including those who have given birth or navigated postnatal services during the pandemic [ 11 , 12 ]. Physical distancing and changes in health service provision has disrupted healthcare access for peri- and postnatal women, with non-essential appointment cancellations, new personal protective equipment requirements, and in some instances, a transition to virtual care [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“COVID Affected Us All:” The Birth and Postnatal Health Experiences of Resettled Syrian Refugee Women During COVID-19 in Canada

“…12,19,50,51 Women in our study described the stresses and pressures they faced as a result of decreased informal support, increased childcare and homeschooling demands, and the closures/restrictions of valuable support services (e.g., doulas)-all of which have been reported in other literature with non-newcomer women. 10,14,19 These stressors were coupled with feelings of disappointment and loss related to missed or robbed birth-and postnatal-related moments and milestones. 14,16,19 Studies with non-newcomer women have also found signi cant increases in postpartum anxiety 12 and depression symptoms 52 during the pandemic, in addition to a signi cant increase in healthcare visits for postpartum mental health concerns.…”

“…[5][6][7] Positive socioemotional supports in the postpartum period help to mitigate against depressive symptoms and improve maternal self-e cacy. 6,8 COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions have had a profound impact on the physical and socioemotional health of mothers across the globe, 9,10 including those who have given birth or navigated postnatal services during the pandemic. 11,12 Physical distancing and changes in health service provision has disrupted healthcare access for peri-and postnatal women, with non-essential appointment cancellations, new personal protective equipment requirements, and in some instances, a transition to virtual care.…”