A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community Perception
Objective: In 2020, the world came to a standstill due to the havoc created by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. The onus of tackling the disease relies largely on healthcare workers. However, other members of society, such as police personnel and sanitary workers, also made a major c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Galenos Publishing House
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Medeniyet Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://jag.journalagent.com/z4/download_fulltext.asp?pdir=medeniyet&un=MEDJ-93384 |
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| _version_ | 1832581996206882816 |
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| author | Madhavi GAJULA Suwarna MADHUKUMAR |
| author_facet | Madhavi GAJULA Suwarna MADHUKUMAR |
| author_sort | Madhavi GAJULA |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: In 2020, the world came to a standstill due to the havoc created by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. The onus of tackling the disease relies largely on healthcare workers. However, other members of society, such as police personnel and sanitary workers, also made a major contribution in disease prevention. Despite working relentlessly, they face stigma caused by misconceptions and false information that create a health gap. This study aimed to determine the level of stigma and discrimination against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) warriors, understand its effects, and assess the community perception of the causes of stigmatization.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 6 months. The sample size was time-bound, and a mixed method of sampling was employed. A total of 78 COVID-19 warriors and 68 participants from the community were enrolled. Stigma assessment was based on four domains: anticipated stigma, experienced stigma, internalized stigma, and disclosure concerns. Relevant tests of significance were applied, and the data are presented in percentages and ratios.
Results: Of the participants, 46.1% were in the age group of 30-40 years, 47% were males, and 81% were doctors by profession and were engaged in a minimum of 6-12 h of duty for 2 weeks. Of the study population, 85.5% had anticipated stigma, whereas 72.2% had experienced stigma, 43.4% had internalized stigma, and 76.3% had disclosure concerns. Internalized stigma was found to be significantly associated with age (p<0.05) and personal attributes (p<0.05). Of the community participants, 47.1% had a doctor in their neighborhood, and contracting COVID-19 was the primary concern of 44.1% due to the presence of a COVID-19 warrior in their vicinity. Other concerns, such as having to take extra precautions and social distancing being compromised, were also reported.
Conclusions: A significant level of stigma was experienced by COVID-19 warriors, causing a negative impact on their mental well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f24d2216f7d241469874fc9ccfe9ff6e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2149-2042 2149-4606 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | Galenos Publishing House |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medeniyet Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-f24d2216f7d241469874fc9ccfe9ff6e2025-01-30T07:15:46ZengGalenos Publishing HouseMedeniyet Medical Journal2149-20422149-46062022-03-01371546110.4274/MMJ.galenos.2022.93384MEDJ-93384A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community PerceptionMadhavi GAJULA0Suwarna MADHUKUMAR1MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Department of Community Medicine, Hoskote, Bengaluru Rural, IndiaMVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Department of Community Medicine, Hoskote, Bengaluru Rural, IndiaObjective: In 2020, the world came to a standstill due to the havoc created by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. The onus of tackling the disease relies largely on healthcare workers. However, other members of society, such as police personnel and sanitary workers, also made a major contribution in disease prevention. Despite working relentlessly, they face stigma caused by misconceptions and false information that create a health gap. This study aimed to determine the level of stigma and discrimination against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) warriors, understand its effects, and assess the community perception of the causes of stigmatization. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 6 months. The sample size was time-bound, and a mixed method of sampling was employed. A total of 78 COVID-19 warriors and 68 participants from the community were enrolled. Stigma assessment was based on four domains: anticipated stigma, experienced stigma, internalized stigma, and disclosure concerns. Relevant tests of significance were applied, and the data are presented in percentages and ratios. Results: Of the participants, 46.1% were in the age group of 30-40 years, 47% were males, and 81% were doctors by profession and were engaged in a minimum of 6-12 h of duty for 2 weeks. Of the study population, 85.5% had anticipated stigma, whereas 72.2% had experienced stigma, 43.4% had internalized stigma, and 76.3% had disclosure concerns. Internalized stigma was found to be significantly associated with age (p<0.05) and personal attributes (p<0.05). Of the community participants, 47.1% had a doctor in their neighborhood, and contracting COVID-19 was the primary concern of 44.1% due to the presence of a COVID-19 warrior in their vicinity. Other concerns, such as having to take extra precautions and social distancing being compromised, were also reported. Conclusions: A significant level of stigma was experienced by COVID-19 warriors, causing a negative impact on their mental well-being.https://jag.journalagent.com/z4/download_fulltext.asp?pdir=medeniyet&un=MEDJ-93384stigmadomainscovid-19 |
| spellingShingle | Madhavi GAJULA Suwarna MADHUKUMAR A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community Perception Medeniyet Medical Journal stigma domains covid-19 |
| title | A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community Perception |
| title_full | A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community Perception |
| title_fullStr | A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community Perception |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community Perception |
| title_short | A Study on Coronavirus Disease-2019 Stigma Associated with Coronavirus Disease-2019 Warriors and an Insight into Community Perception |
| title_sort | study on coronavirus disease 2019 stigma associated with coronavirus disease 2019 warriors and an insight into community perception |
| topic | stigma domains covid-19 |
| url | https://jag.journalagent.com/z4/download_fulltext.asp?pdir=medeniyet&un=MEDJ-93384 |
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