Increasing COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Spanish speakers in the USA: protocol for the development and evaluation of theNuestra Comunidad Saludableintervention using a group-randomised trial design

Abstract

IntroductionOur community-based participatory research partnership aims to expand understanding of the social, ethical and behavioural implications of COVID-19 testing and vaccination to inform the development of an integrated intervention that harnesses community-based peer navigation and mHealth strategies to improve COVID-19 testing and vaccination; test the intervention; and develop and disseminate practice, research and policy recommendations to further increase COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Spanish-speaking Latine communities in the USA.Methods and analysisWe will conduct 50 individual in-depth interviews with health providers, who have conducted COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination activities within Spanish-speaking communities, and with representatives from Latine-serving community-based organisations. We will also conduct six focus groups with 8–12 Spanish-speaking Latine community member participants each for a total number of about 60 focus group participants. Next, we will develop theNuestra Comunidad Saludableintervention based on findings from interviews and focus groups and use a longitudinal group-randomised trial design with two arms (intervention and delayed intervention) to evaluate the impact of the intervention. We will recruit, enrol and collect baseline data from 20 community-based peer navigators (Navegantes) and their social network members (n=8 unique social network members perNavegante).Navegantes(coupled with their social networks) will be randomised to intervention or delayed intervention groups (10Navegantesand 80 social network members per group).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for data collection was granted by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Institutional Review Board. Following the description of study procedures, we will obtain consent from all study participants. Study findings will be disseminated through an empowerment theory-based community forum, peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific meetings, and reports and briefs for lay, community and practitioner audiences.Trial registration numberNCT05302908.

Understanding uptake of COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and boosters among Spanish-speaking Latines in the United States: Qualitative insights from Spanish speakers and key informants

“…Based on this formative work, our CBPR partnership is developing Nuestra Comunidad Saludable ( Our Healthy Community ) [ 33 ], an intervention to increase ongoing testing, vaccination, and booster uptake among Spanish-speaking Latines. The intervention will harness the strengths of community-based peer navigators who will serve as educators and advocates within their social networks.…”

“…In Nuestra Comunidad Saludable , we will test whether trained peer navigators can increase COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and booster uptake among Spanish-speaking Latines through blending in-person interactions and mHealth (mobile health) strategies using social media [ 33 ]. Peer navigators can reach those who are considered “hard-to-reach” and peer navigation interventions can be targeted, tailored, and personalized [ 48 ].…”

“…Interview and focus group guides assessed information and perspectives related to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and booster uptake, separately, across the social ecological model (individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy) [ 33 ]. Interviews also assessed experiences with program and service delivery.…”