The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Brazilian Immigrant Community in the U.S: Results from a Qualitative Study

Abstract

While an increasing body of data suggests that marginalized groups have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, little has been published about the specific impact on Brazilian immigrants in the U.S. We conducted 15 key informant interviews, one of which included two participants (n = 16), with representatives from social service agencies, healthcare, and faith-based organizations serving Brazilian immigrants. Key informants were asked about the community’s experiences with COVID-19 testing and treatment, responses to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines, perceptions about the virus, and the pandemic’s impact on physical and mental health. Results suggest that COVID-19 has profoundly impacted Brazilian immigrants’ mental and physical health. Key informants perceived that community members faced higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to overcrowded living conditions and over-representation in public-facing and informal (e.g., housecleaning) jobs. They reported barriers to COVID-19-related healthcare services including language, immigration status, and fear of deportation. Brazilian cultural norms surrounding hygiene practices, social distancing, and information distribution have shaped the community’s pandemic response. The Brazilian community has faced extensive social, economic, and health ramifications due to the pandemic. While not unique to this community, pre-existing concerns about social disadvantage suggest a particular vulnerability of this population to the virus.

Intention to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine among Brazilian immigrant women in the U.S.

“…We also found that those who had high levels of trust in health information from healthcare providers were more likely to have positive vaccine intentions, while those who trusted social networks and private news sources were more likely to report that they would not get the vaccine or were unsure [ 50 , 51 ]. Other studies have similarly found that physicians are trusted sources of health information and can serve as important cues to action to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake among general populations [ 21 , 34 , 40 , 41 ], and we found this in a prior qualitative study among Brazilian immigrants [ 52 ]. To strengthen the impact of health information among the Brazilian population, healthcare providers should ensure health communication regarding COVID-19 vaccination is culturally competent (e.g., tailored to meet people’s social, cultural, and linguistic needs) [ 8 , 53 ].…”

Health-Related Quality of Life and Risk Factors among Chinese Women in Japan Following the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…Another possible explanation is that Chinese women in Japan were limited due to their immigrant status, with economic difficulties and language barriers, which are associated with a low mental health level. A finding among Brazilian immigrants reported a similar psychological burden [15].…”

“…Immigrant women, as a minority group, experienced more mental health problems than native women [14]. A qualitative study on the immigrant community in the United States (U.S.) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic affects immigrants' mental health and interpersonal relationships [15]. We inferred that immigrant women in Japan might experience a low level of mental health status due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Health behaviours and COVID‐19 prevention among immigrants in the United States

“…These impacts are driven by factors such as their tendency to work in jobs where they face higher risks of exposure to the virus as well as their inability to work from home due to the uncertainties associated with insecure work contracts (Gelatt, 2020; Quandt et al., 2020). Other studies have specifically been concerned about how these impacts could accentuate the disadvantage of immigrants (Gonzalez et al., 2020; Langellier, 2020; Priebe et al., 2021). Indeed, there is now increasing evidence on the diverse hardships faced by immigrant communities as a result of the pandemic.…”