Trust in science and scientists among university students, staff, and faculty of a large, diverse university in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trojan Pandemic Response Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Mistrust in science and scientists may adversely influence the rate of COVID-19 vaccination and undermine public health initiatives to reduce virus transmission. METHODS: Students, staff and faculty responded to an email invitation to complete an electronic survey. Surveys included 21-items from the Trust in Science and Scientists Inventory questionnaire. Responses were coded so higher scores indicated a higher trust in science and scientists, A linear regression model including sex, age group, division, race and ethnicity, political affiliation, and history of COVID-19, was used to determine variables significantly associated with trust in science and scientists scores at the p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: Participants were mostly female (62.1%), Asian (34.7%) and White (39.5%) and students (70.6%). More than half identified their political affiliation as Democrat (65%). In the final regression model, all races and ethnicities had significantly lower mean trust in science and scientists scores than White participants [Black ([Formula: see text]= -0.42, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.43, p < 0.001); Asian ([Formula: see text]= -0.20, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.17, p < 0.001); Latinx ([Formula: see text]= -0.22, 95% CI: -0.27, -0.18, p < 0.001); Other ([Formula: see text]= -0.19, 95% CI: -0.26, -0.11, p < 0.001)]. Compared to those identifying as Democrat, all other political affiliations had significantly lower mean scores. [Republican ([Formula: see text] =-0.49, 95% CI: -0.55, -0.43, p < 0.0001); Independent ([Formula: see text] =-0.29, 95% CI: -0.33, -0.25, p < 0.0001); something else ([Formula: see text] =-0.19, 95% CI: -0.25, -0.12, p < 0.0001)]. Having had COVID-19 ([Formula: see text]= -0.10, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.06, p < 0.001) had significantly lower scores compared to those who did not have COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Despite the setting of a major research University, trust in science is highly variable. This study identifies characteristics that could be used to target and curate educational campaigns and university policies to address the COVID19 and future pandemics.

Correlates of COVID-19 vaccination status among college students.

Objectives: Despite the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, vaccine hesitancy remains high among certain groups. This study examined the correlates of being unvaccinated among a sample of students attending a single university (N = 2900) during the spring and summer of 2021, when the campus had been closed for over a year and students were preparing to return to in-person learning. Methods: Students responded to an email invitation and completed electronic surveys. Results: In multivariable logistic regression analyses, students were more likely to be unvaccinated if they were African American, identified with any political affiliation other than Democrat, were undergraduates or international students, had not traveled outside the Los Angeles during the pandemic, and/or had previously been ill with COVID-19. Conclusion: Findings indicate that culturally resonant educational interventions, and possibly vaccine requirements, are needed to promote vaccination among university students.

Characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccination status among staff and faculty of a large, diverse University in Los Angeles: The Trojan Pandemic Response Initiative.

Objective: This study examined characteristics associated with being unvaccinated among a sample of university staff and faculty prior to university campus reopening for in-person learning in 2021. Methods: Staff and faculty responded to an email invitation to complete an online survey. Survey questions included demographic data (race/ethnicity, age, sex), COVID-19 knowledge and behaviors, employment specific data including division and subdivision (healthcare vs. non-healthcare related division); and self-reported vaccination status. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant characteristics associated with the likelihood of being unvaccinated for COVID-19. Results: Participants identifying as Asian and Asian American (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.96), Hispanic/Latinx (aOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.49) or Multicultural/Other (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.38) had greater odds of being unvaccinated compared to Non-Hispanic White participants. Other characteristics associated with greater likelihood of being unvaccinated included working as a university staff member (vs. faculty) (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.24. 2.30), decrease in income (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI:1.05, 1.71), inability to work remotely (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI:1.13, 1.93) and not traveling outside of the Los Angeles area (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.83). Political affiliation as an Independent (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI:1.04, 1.85) or as something else (aOR = 3.84, 95% CI: 2.72, 5.41) were more likely to be unvaccinated compared to participants identifying as Democrat. Conclusions: Several factors associated with racial and social disparities may delay the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. This study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to promote vaccination among university staff and faculty.