The perceptions and reactions to COVID-19 among offspring of African immigrants and young adults who migrated to the U.S․

Abstract

The influx of African immigrants and their offspring to United States has increased the heterogeneity of the Black communities. While COVID-19 has lay bare the disproportionate impact of the virus on Black communities, the perceptions and reactions of African immigrants’ offspring to the pandemic is yet to be explored. As part of an ongoing project on COVID-19 and African Immigrants and Refugees (AIR), interviews were conducted with participants that identified as African immigrant offspring and young adults who migrated to the US. Interview questions were guided by the Social Ecological Model, and data was analyzed using thematic analysis approach. Key findings highlight the prevalence of misinformation and key information sources, crystallized into four themes: (1) knowledge of COVID-19; (2) sources of information about COVID-19; (3) cultural self-identity and US healthcare system: and (4) spirituality, healing and COVID-19. Participants had adequate knowledge, and preventive measures about COVID-19, though earlier interviews among them during the early stage of the pandemic showed confusion about the nature of the virus. The value of family networks as sources of information and misinformation, especially through social media was salient in participants’ discussion, while the overload of news media was a source of concern leading to disengagement. Participants’ cultural self-identity served as lens in interpreting their interactions with the US healthcare system, while the value of spirituality and traditional remedies to healing were discussed as tools for coping with the pandemic. Efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccine should consider the multicultural values of this population.