Sample activities of Navegantes in the Nuestra Comunidad Saludable intervention
| Activities | Examples |
| Raise awareness of the ongoing need for COVID-19 testing and vaccination. | Navegantes increase consciousness among their social networks about the need for testing and vaccination to slow the spread of COVID-19, state and local rates of testing and vaccination and among Latine populations, and the importance of taking action. |
| Provide information and referrals. | Navegantes increase knowledge and provide information about COVID-19, testing, vaccination and local providers of testing and vaccination services (eg, sites near a social network member’s home or workplace, days and hours of operation and whether an appointment is needed and how to make one). |
| Demystify the process of seeking COVID-19 testing and vaccination. | Navegantes explain what to expect when accessing COVID-19 testing and vaccination, including where to go, how to get there by public transportation (or where to park if in a car), the presence of security, sign-in processes, what information will be requested (eg, if staff will ask for identification or insurance information), availability of interpreters or Spanish-speaking staff, what steps are involved in the testing or vaccination process and how long the process will take (eg, turnaround time for receiving test results and required observation period after receiving the vaccine). |
| Reframe and bolster norms and expectations. | Navegantes increase trust in the test and vaccine (as some may not believe that they will get the real vaccine as has happened in Latin America86 87), address other concerns and highlight how the benefits of COVID-19 testing and vaccination are linked to social network members’ priorities (eg, protecting the health of their families and communities and facilitating the ability to gather with others safely). |
| Share announcements and reminders. | Navegantes share announcements with social network members about upcoming testing and vaccination events. |
| Troubleshoot and problem solve SEBI of COVID-19 testing and vaccination. | Navegantes help overcome stigma related to COVID-19 and build trust around testing and vaccination (eg, addressing concerns about immigration status and confidentiality). Navegantes brainstorm options for overcoming barriers related to transportation (eg, if a testing or vaccination site is not on a bus line and a social network member does not have a car or a driver’s licence), schedules (eg, conflicts between work schedules and testing or vaccination site hours) and other challenges (eg, concerns about the potential impact of a positive COVID-19 test result or vaccine side effects on the ability to work). |
| Support communication with providers and staff. | Navegantes talk through ways to effectively communicate and share concerns with providers and staff at testing and vaccination sites. Navegantes may remind social network members to bring a list of questions, symptoms or information about potential COVID-19 exposures when going to get tested or vaccinated. |
| Support other prevention behaviours. | Navegantes provide guidance on recommendations for other prevention behaviours (aligning with current CDC guidelines), including mask use, social distancing and need for booster vaccination. |
| Provide feedback to providers and staff. | Navegantes meet with providers and staff at COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites to provide feedback for multilevel changes to improve accessibility for Spanish-speaking Latine communities. |
CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; SEBI, social, ethical and behavioural implications.