Evaluation of variables potentially associated with seropositivity

Evaluation of variables potentially associated with seropositivity

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Background Racialized communities, including Black Canadians, have disproportionately higher COVID-19 cases. We examined the extent to which SARS-CoV-2 infection has affected the Black Canadian community and the factors associated with the infection. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an area of Ontario (northwest Toronto/Peel Region...

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... = 0.06. Table 4 shows univariate analyses and variables that were included in multivariable analyses. We examined the association between seropositivity and age, race and location of residence and the interaction between race and location of residence (model 1) and age, race and location of residence (model 2). ...

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... Canada is often presented as a leader in multiculturalism and the integration of non-White people. 1 However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted pre-existing health disparities that greatly amplified its impact on racialized and Indigenous people. 2 Indeed, data published by the various public health agencies in major cities and by Statistics Canada showed that racialized and Indigenous communities were particularly affected by the pandemic. 3,4 In major Canadian cities with large ethnic minority populations, such as Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Edmonton, the proportion of Black Canadians who contracted COVID-19 were two to three times higher than the population average. [5][6][7] A study conducted by Statistics Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed that racialized and Indigenous people were more likely to be infected and die from the virus. ...
Article
Despite increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections and higher rates of COVID‐19‐related complications, racialized and Indigenous communities in Canada have lower immunization uptake compared to White individuals. However, there is woeful lack of data on predictors of COVID‐19 vaccine mistrust (VM) that accounts for diverse social and cultural contexts within specific racialized and Indigenous communities. Therefore, we sought to characterize COVID‐19 VM among Arab, Asian, Black, and Indigenous communities in Canada. An online survey was administered to a nationally representative, ethnically diverse panel of participants in October 2023. Arabic, Asian, Indigenous, and Black respondents were enriched in the sampling panel. Data were collected on demographics, COVID‐19 VM, experience of racial discrimination, health literacy, and conspiracy beliefs. We used descriptive and regression analyses to determine the extent and predictors of COVID‐19 VM among racialized and Indigenous individuals. All racialized respondents had higher VM score compared to White participants. Among 4220 respondents, we observed highest VM among Black individuals (12.18; ±4.24), followed by Arabic (12.12; ±4.60), Indigenous (11.84; ±5.18), Asian (10.61; ±4.28), and White (9.58; ±5.00) participants. In the hierarchical linear regression analyses, Black participants, women, everyday racial discrimination, and major experience of discrimination were positively associated with COVID‐19 VM. Effects of racial discrimination were mediated by addition of conspiracy beliefs to the model. Racialized and Indigenous communities experience varying levels of COVID‐19 VM and carry specific predictors and mediators to development of VM. This underscores the intricate interaction between race, gender, discrimination, and VM that need to be considered in future vaccination campaigns.
Article
COVID-19 preventative practices such as hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing have been identified as ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, social determinants can play a role in the ability of individuals and groups to adhere to recommended COVID-19 preventative practices. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to explore the COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs), and information sources used in the adult Black population within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). An online questionnaire was completed by Black adults living in the GTA. Associations between KAPs, health literacy, and sociodemographic variables were assessed using descriptive tests. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to examine predictors of high preventative practices. Of the 169 respondents, most had high knowledge scores (80.5%), low attitudes (85.2%), and high COVID-19 preventative practices (82.2%). Hotspot status, working from home, and high health literacy were found to be independent predictors of high preventative practices. This study provides new knowledge that advances understanding of the COVID-19 KAPs of Black communities in a Canadian context. Our findings point to the inadequacy of current prevention strategies that focus narrowly on individual actions while overlooking the importance of systemic influences on health.