Date of Conferral

3-27-2025

Date of Award

March 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Magdeline Aagard

Abstract

The development and release of a vaccine during an epidemic is aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of infection, transmission, and spread of the disease. However, this does not always guarantee the acceptance of the vaccine by the entire population, as was the case with the COVID-19 vaccine. The low COVID-19 vaccine rate within the Black Pentecostal Christian community in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) is a public health concern. Some factors that might have influenced the decision of this population to accept or reject the vaccine have been linked to politics, anti-COVID-19 vaccine sentiments, and religion. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of religious beliefs, practices, and leadership guidance on the acceptance or rejection of COVID-19 vaccination within the Black Pentecostal Christian community in the DMV. This basic qualitative study was guided by the health belief model and used semistructured, open-ended interview questions involving 14 participants from the DMV. The results of this study revealed that the final decision of the participants to accept or reject the COVID-19 vaccine centered on one of the following: personal belief, belief in God/ Bible/religious leader, COVID-19 vaccine compliance, or job compliance. This study revealed that a more collaborative approach involving religious leaders is vital when implementing COVID-19-targeted public health interventions. The findings of this study are significant in bridging the gap in knowledge with regard to COVID-19 vaccination and religious beliefs, fostering religious leaders’ community engagement, and have the potential to enact positive social change both at personal and community levels.

Download

Included in

Public Health Commons

Share

 
COinS