Digital Storytelling to Reduce Hispanic Parents' COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Hispanic children exhibit low COVID-19 vaccination rates in the U.S.
• Parental vaccine hesitancy is a significant barrier to childhood immunization.
• Digital storytelling (DST) offers a culturally relevant method to address parental concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a community-driven digital storytelling intervention.
• To reduce vaccine hesitancy among Hispanic parents regarding childhood COVID-19 vaccination.
• To assess the intervention's impact on vaccine intentions and uptake.

Main Methods:

• A randomized feasibility trial involved 80 Hispanic parents.
• Intervention group viewed digital stories from formerly hesitant parents; control group viewed nutrition videos.
• Surveys and focus groups assessed feasibility, acceptability, vaccine intentions, and uptake.

Main Results:

• Digital storytelling was found to be acceptable and engaging for health education.
• Intervention group showed greater increases in vaccine intention compared to controls.
• Parents in the intervention group were significantly more likely to vaccinate their children.

Conclusions:

• The community-driven digital storytelling intervention is feasible and acceptable.
• Findings suggest moderate positive effects on vaccine intentions and uptake.
• Further research should explore DST for other childhood immunizations and reducing hesitancy.