A Basic Qualitative Study of African American COVID-19 Survivors’ Experiences, Beliefs, and Critical Health Literacy

African Americans make up 13.4% of the U.S. population but accounted for 18.2% of those infected and 20.9% of deaths, reflecting significantly higher rates of illness and mortality from the COVID-19 pandemic than their non-African American counterparts. This disparity makes the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as much a social concern as it is a health issue. The purpose of this study was to explore critical health literacy among African American COVID-19 survivors within the conceptual framework of the health belief model (HBM) in conjunction with critical health literacy theory. The overall research design is basic qualitative design using a purposive sample of 11 African American COVID-19 survivors in South Florida, through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Information was analyzed using in vivo methodology from which codes, categories, and themes were identified. Key findings emerging from the data collected underscored the preponderance of COVID-19 information without consensus from authorities on what was accurate and therefore actionable to protect against COVID-19. The findings showed the non-linear, multidirectional flow of information and decision making from social determinants of health, perception of threats, cues to action, and increased disease management, to health promoting behaviors. The implication is that social change through education at the individual or community level must consider the basic cultural and behavioral norms and begin by respectfully addressing what is contrary to disease prevention and health promoting practices.