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Abstract: PO0094

Beliefs About and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Population of Inner City Kidney Transplant Recipients (KTRs)

Session Information

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

  • Morita, Sae, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Udod, Galina, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Goldberg, Michael A., SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Hamaway, Stefan, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Kerner, Perry Andrew, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Harrington, Ryan, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Markell, Mariana, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York, United States
Background

The COVID-19 pandemic was especially stressful for indigent people with multiple health conditions. We examined beliefs and behaviors at the height of the pandemic in a population of inner-city KTRs.

Methods

40 KTRs followed at our Center were surveyed by telephone including questions about behaviors, knowlege and attitudes regarding COVID-19 using yes/no or Likert scale answers as well as the Stress and Social Suppory and Health Beliefs Questionnaires.

Results

Mean age was 57±1.8yrs, with 22 males and 18 females, 27 (77%) Black, (4) White 11% and 8 (23%) other. Time since transplant 7.75±1.07yrs. 35% (9/26) felt difficulties were piling up so high that they could not overcome them.13% (4/31) reported it was more difficult to pay for medications and were more likely to skip doses to make them last longer (r=0.473, p=0.008). 75% (23) were afraid of COVID-19. 51% (17/33) were afraid of catching it from a family member, 54% (18) from a friend, 84% (26) limited any in person interactions, 44% (19) avoided leaving home for any reason and 45% (15) avoided going to any public spaces. Pts who reported being more afraid of COVID-19 were more likely to report poor health (r=-0.39, p=0.032), to report being afraid to leave their home (r=0.48, p=0.006), were more likely to have contacted their provider more than 4-6 times in the past two months (p=0.034), to state that their health was poor (r=-0.39, p=0.032), and to say that their condition keeps them from working (r=0.52, p=0.027). They also believed that eating Chinese food could increase COVID-19 risk (r=0.37, p=0.039).

Conclusion

In our population of inner-City KTRs: 1. Two thirds were afraid of COVID-19, including catching itfrom a friend or family member, and limited leaving their home. 3. They were also more likely to report poor health. contact their healthcare provider multiple times, as well as state their condition made it impossible to work and believe that one could catch COVID-19 from Chinese food. 4. Over 10% were financially stressed and skipped doses of medication to make them last longer and a third felt it difficult to cope overall. 5. Follow up will be necessary as the pandemic subsides to examine if there was a detrimental effect on graft survival due to multiple stressors that could affect adherence in this population.