Interventions employed to address vaccine hesitancy among Black populations outside of African and Caribbean countries: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Background Black people are disproportionately affected by structural and social determinants of health, resulting in greater risks of exposure to and deaths from COVID-19. Structural and social determinants of health feed vaccine hesitancy and worsen health disparities. Objective This scoping review explored interventions that have been employed to address vaccine hesitancy among Black population outside of African and Caribbean countries. This review provides several strategies for addressing this deep-rooted public health problem. Methods The scoping review followed the five-step framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. It complies with reporting guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Research studies that examined interventions utilized to promote vaccine confidence within Black populations living outside of African and Caribbean countries were reviewed. Findings A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria for this study: 17 were quantitative studies and three were mixed-method studies. This scoping review highlighted six themes: educational advancement, messaging, multi-component approaches, outreach efforts, enhancing healthcare access, and healthcare provider leadership. Conclusion The review identified effective interventions for addressing vaccine hesitancy among Black populations outside Africa and the Caribbean, emphasizing education, multidimensional approaches, and healthcare provider recommendations. It calls for more qualitative research and interventions in countries like Canada and the UK to enhance vaccine confidence and reduce mistrust.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• Vaccine hesitancy
• Vaccine confidence
• Black populations
• People of african descent