COVID-19 testing experiences and attitudes among young adults and socially isolated older adults living in public housing, New York City (2022)

TL;DR

This study explores how young adults and isolated older adults in NYC public housing feel about COVID-19 testing, identifying common barriers and trusted information sources.

Contribution

The study provides insights into testing attitudes in understudied groups within public housing, offering actionable strategies for improving testing uptake.

Findings

Both young and older adults trusted information from mainstream media, doctors, and public agencies.

Barriers to testing included long lines, insurance issues, and cost, with young adults preferring at-home tests.

Residents recommended easier access, in-home visits, and free or low-cost tests to improve testing uptake.

Abstract

As part of an initiative to increase COVID-19 testing uptake among underserved populations, we conducted focus groups to explore experiences and attitudes related to testing in two understudied groups—young adults and socially-isolated older adults—recruited from residents living in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) public housing developments.

In June through November 2022, we conducted eight virtual focus groups with 21 young adults and 11 older adults living in NYCHA (n = 32 total). To identify themes, we conducted a rapid qualitative analysis approach.

Residents discussed four overarching themes: (1) trusted COVID-19 information sources; (2) reasons for testing; (3) barriers to testing, and (4) strategies to increase testing uptake. Findings were similar across the two age groups; both cited multiple sources of information, including major media outlets, government or public health officials, and doctors. Young adults were more likely to access information from social media despite concerns about misinformation. Participants identified several barriers to testing, such as long lines, insurance coverage, and cost. Young adults reported that at-home COVID testing was more convenient, while older adults expressed concern about accuracy and administering the tests themselves. Recommendations for improving testing emphasized easier access via a central well-known location, in-home visits, free or low-cost tests, and increased outreach.

Mainstream media, doctors and public agencies remain the most trusted sources of information among younger and older residents alike. Many resident recommendations involved leveraging NYCHA infrastructure, highlighting the continuing role public housing authorities can play in COVID-19 and other health initiatives.