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Huang PC, Lin CY, Huang RY, Chen JS, Griffiths MD, Strong C, Wang HW, Chen CY, Ko NY, Shieh SJ. The effect of social support and resource support on emotional exhaustion, insomnia, and suicidal ideation among allied health trainees and post-graduate year doctors in Taiwan. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:322. [PMID: 38824566 PMCID: PMC11144321 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01811-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19-related stigmatization refers to COVID-19-related judgements by others that devalue the individual. Such stigmatization towards healthcare workers may cause psychological burden and negative consequences. Such stigmatization may have particularly overwhelmed allied health trainees (AHTs) and post-graduate year doctors (PGYDs) because they just started their medical career. Social support and resource support have been reported to benefit psychological health and reduce stigmatization. Therefore, the present study used a cross-sectional study design to investigate the association between perceived stigma, self-stigma, psychological distress, and negative outcomes (including emotional exhaustion, insomnia and suicidal ideation) among AHTs and PGYDs in Taiwan. METHODS An online survey distributed between July and December, 2022 received 522 responses. Variables were assessed using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Insomnia Severity Index and a series of self-designed questions to assess social support, resource support, perceived stigma, self-stigma, emotional exhaustion, and suicidal ideation. RESULTS Structural equation modeling showed that perceived stigma was associated with self-stigma (standardized coefficient [β] = 0.428, p < 0.001), and self-stigma was associated with psychological distress (β = 0.197, p < 0.001), as well as being associated with emotional exhaustion, insomnia, and suicidal ideation (β = 0.349, 0.556 and 0.212, all p-values < 0.001). While social support and resource support were negatively associated with perceived stigma (β= - 0.175 and - 0.152, p < 0.01), additional associations were found between social support and emotional exhaustion (β= - 0.093, p < 0.001), as well as between resource support and insomnia (β= - 0.120, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results showed that COVID-19 related stigmatization was correlated to the detrimental consequences of emotional exhaustion, insomnia and suicidal ideation. Clear paths regarding the associations of social support and resource support with the three negative associations were found as the possible solutions. Strategies to reduce the stigmatization and these negative outcomes, or improve the psychological health will benefit AHTs and PGYDs in maintaining a healthy mental status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Ching Huang
- School of Physical Therapy, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 259, Wen-Hua 1st Rd., Taoyuan, 333323, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ying Lin
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan.
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan.
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan.
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., Tainan, 701401, Taiwan.
| | - Ru-Yi Huang
- Division of Family Medicine Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, and School of Medicine Tzu Chi University, No. 289, Jianguo Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei, 23142, Taiwan.
- Data Science Degree Program, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
| | - Jung-Sheng Chen
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1 Yida Rd., Yanchao Dist, Kaohsiung, 824005, Taiwan.
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare St, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Carol Strong
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wen Wang
- Department of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Ying Ko
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
| | - Shyh-Jou Shieh
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1, University Rd., East Dist, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
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Kurniawan J, Daryanto B, Nurhadi P, Kustono A. Parental Perspectives Regarding Circumcision during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Indonesia. Afr J Paediatr Surg 2024; 21:97-100. [PMID: 38546246 PMCID: PMC11003568 DOI: 10.4103/ajps.ajps_132_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide and affected the healthcare system, including the deferral of surgical practice. There are various reactions regarding delayed surgeries, but parental viewpoints towards circumcision remain scarce. In light of the pandemic, this study aimed to evaluate how parents feel about circumcision and the probable determining variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study is a cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire available from March to April 2022. The factors affecting the decision were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS Of 1,218 (26.28%) parents who completed the survey, 879 (18.96%) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Among them, 615 (70.00%) parents agreed to delay circumcision during the COVID-19 pandemic. These respondents were more likely to be non-Muslim (P = 0.01), have no relatives whose work is related to medicine or paramedicine (P = 0.02) and have monthly income equal to or below the regional minimum wage (P = 0.03). After adjusting the potential confounder, non-Muslim religion (odds ratios, 2.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-6.49; P = 0.012) was found to be the only independent predictor for agreeing to the deferral of circumcision amid the pandemic. CONCLUSION Most parents agreed to postpone circumcision due to the fear of COVID-19 exposure. In order to help them feel less apprehensive about this matter, it is important to educate them about the medical benefits of circumcision and the safety of this procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemmy Kurniawan
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Besut Daryanto
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Pradana Nurhadi
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Andri Kustono
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia
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Thanh ND, Anh PQ, Huyen Chang PT, Dung HV, Xiem CH, Chau LB. Health staff's job motivation post COVID-19 pandemic: A case study in Vietnam. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231207699. [PMID: 38020795 PMCID: PMC10640800 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231207699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Vietnam has witnessed a severe shortage of qualified staff in the public health sector after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our cross-sectional study aimed to identify job motivation and associated factors among experienced frontline health staff working in public health in order to have preventive measures in the event of future pandemics. Methods A cross-sectional study, from March 2022 to November 2022 at a Vietnamese public hospital, on the job motivation and the predicted factors of 381 healthcare workers who participated in the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. The survey tool, developed by Mbindyo Patrick (2009), includes three components: (i) job satisfaction, (ii) organizational commitment, and (iii) conscientiousness. The survey tool was revalidated in our study with structural equation model for the construction of job motivation model and confirmatory factor analysis for certifying the elementary three components (factors) of the tool. And the tool's reliability was evaluated by Cronbach's Alpha. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to identify the predicted factors with the job motivation cutoff of 4.0. Results The tool for job motivation constructs showed all specifications were good fit indices and the Cronbach's Alpha was 0.85. The job motivation of health staff decreased dramatically in all dimensions post COVID-19 pandemic, with a mean score of 3.26. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment were the most negatively impacted areas, with scores of 3.02 and 3.00, respectively. The predicted factors of low job motivation were young age (less than 30 years old), low monthly income (less than $400), high qualification, and non-managerial positions with odds ratio of 2.27, 2.5, 2.09, and 3.61, respectively. Conclusion Following the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam, healthcare workers who had been in the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, had experienced a significant decline in their job motivation, despite their continued employment at public hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Duc Thanh
- Department of Hospital Management, Health Management Training Institute, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Pham Quynh Anh
- Department of Health Organization and Management, Health Management Training Institute, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Pham Thi Huyen Chang
- Department of Health Organization and Management, Health Management Training Institute, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Chu Huyen Xiem
- Department of Hospital Management, Health Management Training Institute, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Le Bao Chau
- Department of Health Organization and Management, Health Management Training Institute, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
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SeyedAlinaghi S, Afsahi AM, Shahidi R, Afzalian A, Mirzapour P, Eslami M, Ahmadi S, Matini P, Yarmohammadi S, Saeed Tamehri Zadeh S, Asili P, Paranjkhoo P, Ramezani M, Nooralioghli Parikhani S, Sanaati F, Amiri Fard I, Emamgholizade Baboli E, Mansouri S, Pashaei A, Mehraeen E, Hackett D. Social stigma during COVID-19: A systematic review. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231208273. [PMID: 38020797 PMCID: PMC10640804 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231208273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Stigmatization was reported throughout the COVID pandemic for COVID-19 patients and close contacts. The aim of this systematic review was to comprehensively examine the prevalence and impact of stigmatization during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods English articles were searched using online databases that included PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science up to 24 August 2022. A two-step screening and selection process was followed utilizing an inclusion and exclusion criteria and then data was extracted from eligible articles. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was followed, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results Seventy-six studies were eligible for inclusion. Twenty-two studies reported the prevalence of social stigma due to COVID-19 infection with social isolation being the most commonly reported stigma. There were 20 studies that reported the majority of participants experienced stigma due to COVID-19 infection, which was as high as 100% of participants in two studies. Participants in 16 studies reported blaming from others as the second most common type of stigma, with various other types reported such as psychological pressure, verbal violence, avoidance, and labeling. The most common effect of the stigma was anxiety followed by depression, and then reduction of socialization. Conclusion Findings from the present review have identified that COVID-19-related stigma studies have generally focused on its prevalence, type, and outcome. Greater awareness of this topic may assist with improving public education during pandemics such as COVID-19 as well as access to support services for individuals impacted by stigmatization.
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Affiliation(s)
- SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Masoud Afsahi
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ramin Shahidi
- School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Arian Afzalian
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pegah Mirzapour
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Eslami
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepide Ahmadi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Matini
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Saeed Tamehri Zadeh
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pooria Asili
- Department of Pathology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parinaz Paranjkhoo
- Turpanjian College of Health Sciences, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Maryam Ramezani
- Department of Health Management, Policy and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Foziye Sanaati
- School of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Iman Amiri Fard
- Department of Community Health Nursing and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Emamgholizade Baboli
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somaye Mansouri
- Department of Management, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Ava Pashaei
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Esmaeil Mehraeen
- Department of Health Information Technology, Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences, Khalkhal, Iran
| | - Daniel Hackett
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Physical Activity, Lifestyle, Ageing and Wellbeing Faculty Research Group, School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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5
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Grover A, Venkatesh U, Kishore J, Chakma T, Thomas B, Menon G, Periyasamy M, Kulkarni R, Prusty RK, Venkateswaran C, Mishra B, Balu V, Viray M, Mathew G, Ketharam A, Balachandar R, Singh P, Jakhar K, Devi R, Saha K, Barde P, Moral R, Singh R, John D, Yadav J, Kohli S, Aggarwal S, Rao V, Panda S. Factors associated with stigma and manifestations experienced by Indian health care workers involved in COVID-19 management in India: A qualitative study. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2023; 10:e46. [PMID: 37854432 PMCID: PMC10579676 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2023.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare personnel who deal with COVID-19 experience stigma. There is a lack of national-level representative qualitative data to study COVID-19-related stigma among healthcare workers in India. The present study explores factors associated with stigma and manifestations experienced by Indian healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 management. We conducted in-depth interviews across 10 centres in India, which were analysed using NVivo software version 12. Thematic and sentiment analysis was performed to gain deep insights into the complex phenomenon by categorising the qualitative data into meaningful and related categories. Healthcare workers (HCW) usually addressed the stigma they encountered when doing their COVID duties under the superordinate theme of stigma. Among them, 77.42% said they had been stigmatised in some way. Analyses revealed seven interrelated themes surrounding stigma among healthcare workers. It can be seen that the majority of the stigma and coping sentiments fall into the mixed category, followed by the negative sentiment category. This study contributes to our understanding of stigma and discrimination in low- and middle-income settings. Our data show that the emergence of fear of the virus has quickly turned into a stigma against healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashoo Grover
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India
| | - U Venkatesh
- Department of Community & Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, India
| | - Jugal Kishore
- Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Tapas Chakma
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Beena Thomas
- Department of Social and Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Geetha Menon
- ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Murugesan Periyasamy
- Department of Social and Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Ragini Kulkarni
- Department of Operational Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Ranjan K Prusty
- Department of Biostatistics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Chitra Venkateswaran
- Department of Psychiatry, Believers Church Medical College, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
| | - Bijaya Mishra
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Vinoth Balu
- Department of Social and Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Maribon Viray
- Department of Psychology, Department of Counselling Psychology Martin, Luther Christian University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Geetu Mathew
- ICMR- Regional Occupational Health Centre -South, National Institute of Occupational Health, Bangalore, India
| | - Asha Ketharam
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Rakesh Balachandar
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Prashant Singh
- Division of Preventive Oncology and Population Health, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kiran Jakhar
- Department of Psychaitry, Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rekha Devi
- ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, N. E. Region, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Kalyan Saha
- Social Sciences and Ethnomedicine, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Pradeep Barde
- Division of Virology and Zoonotic Diseases, ICMR-National Institute of Research In Tribal Health, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Rony Moral
- Department of Social and Behavioural Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Ravinder Singh
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India
| | - Denny John
- Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Jeetendra Yadav
- ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Simran Kohli
- ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumit Aggarwal
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, ICMR, New Delhi, India
| | - Vishnu Rao
- ICMR-National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India
| | - Samiran Panda
- Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, ICMR, New Delhi, India
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Soubra K, Tamworth C, Kamal Z, Brook C, Langdon D, Billings J. Health and social care workers experiences of coping while working in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic: One year on. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284306. [PMID: 37043526 PMCID: PMC10096225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unprecedented pressure of working on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic had a demonstrable impact on the mental health and wellbeing of health and social care workers in the early stages of the pandemic, however, less research has focused on workers' experiences over the longer course of the pandemic. AIMS We set out to develop an explanatory model of the processes that helped and hindered the coping of HSCWs working over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. METHOD Twenty HSCWs based in the UK took part in the study. They completed semi-structured interviews 12-18 months after the peak of the first wave in the UK. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using grounded theory methodology. RESULTS The analysis identified eleven theoretical codes: personal context, organisational resources, organisational response, management, colleagues, decision-making and responsibilities, internal impacts, external impactors, safety, barriers to accessing support and temporal factors. The findings suggest that factors related to the individual themselves, their personal context, the organisation they work in, their managers, the support structures around them and their sense of safety impacted on HSCWs; ability to cope. Some factors changed over time throughout the first year of the pandemic, such as workload and staff illness, which further impacted HSCWs' coping. There were many barriers to accessing support that also impacted coping, including availability, awareness and time. The relationship between the factors that impacted coping are represented in an explanatory model. CONCLUSIONS The findings extend previous studies on the mental health impact on frontline HSCWs working during Covid-19, providing novel insight by developing an explanatory model illustrating the underlying factors that impacted their coping experiences over the course of the pandemic in the UK. The findings from this study may assist in the development of improved and more effective support for HSCWs going forwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Soubra
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Camilla Tamworth
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zeast Kamal
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clare Brook
- Acorn Group Practice, Twickenham, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn Langdon
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jo Billings
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Alhouri A, Abu Shokor M, Marwa K, Sharabi A, Mohammad Nazir Arrouk D, Al Houri FN, Al Houri H. COVID-19 and Its Impact on Healthcare Workers: Understanding Stigma, Stress, and Quality of Life. Cureus 2023; 15:e37846. [PMID: 37214008 PMCID: PMC10198658 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively impacted public health systems worldwide and created anxiety and stress among communities, resulting in the stigmatization of patients infected with the virus. Stigmatization of individuals who are sick or thought to be infected has a long history and can lead to discrimination and prejudice. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19-related stigma in Jordan, assess the relationship between stigma and the quality of life (QoL) in healthcare workers, and identify possible measures to decrease stressful events. Understanding the psychological effects of healthcare workers' jobs and reducing their burden is essential to improving medical outcomes and the QoL of patients. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study was conducted in three primary hospitals in Amman, Jordan, from July to December 2021. Healthcare workers were recruited through convenience sampling and completed a self-administered questionnaire, which included demographic information, a validated COVID-19 stigma questionnaire, work conditions during the pandemic, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire to measure depression, anxiety, and stress, and the EUROHIS-QOL questionnaire to assess the QoL. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests and post hoc analysis. The study was approved by the institutional review board, and participation was voluntary and confidential. RESULTS The study was conducted among 683 healthcare workers in Jordan, with 77.7% based in the capital city, Amman. Most of the participants were between 18 and 30 years of age, and slightly more than half were female. The study found that 38.1% of healthcare workers would not take the COVID-19 vaccine once it became available. More than half (56%) reported experiencing stress, 61% reported anxiety, and 65% reported depression during the pandemic. Internal medicine specialties and frontline nurses reported the highest levels of stress, and healthcare workers with greater exposure to COVID-19 patients reported higher levels of anxiety and stress. Only 3% of participants reported experiencing stigmatization (p=0.043), with low-income participants reporting it more frequently. Stigmatization was significantly correlated with feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Healthcare workers' mental well-being has been affected negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in depression, anxiety, and stress. Widespread mental surveillance for healthcare workers is crucial to protect healthcare workers from psychological issues and to improve the healthcare service provided to patients. Stigma among healthcare workers can be a major factor that may increase depression, anxiety, and stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alhouri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, GBR
| | | | - Khaled Marwa
- Department of General Medicine, Al Safa Medical Complex, Hail, SAU
| | - Alaa Sharabi
- Department of General Medicine, Somerian Health, Abu Dhabi, ARE
| | | | - Fatima N Al Houri
- College of Medicine, American University in the Emirates, Dubai, ARE
| | - Hasan Al Houri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Syrian Private University, Damascus, SYR
- Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Assad University Hospital, Al-Mouwasat University Hospital, Damascus, SYR
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8
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Wałowska K, Domaradzki J. Superheroes or Super Spreaders? The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Attitudes towards Nurses: A Qualitative Study from Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2912. [PMID: 36833609 PMCID: PMC9957068 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The social perception of the nursing profession in Poland is profoundly affected by social stereotypes that may discourage young people from entering the profession and lead to prejudice towards nurses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses gained visibility, which caused the social image of nurses to likewise grow. In this study, we explore nurses' experiences with respect to how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the social image of nursing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen hospital nurses. Three major themes emerged: (1) social attitudes towards nurses during the pandemic, (2) nurses' perception of the impact of the pandemic on the social image of the nursing profession and (3) the impact of the pandemic on nurses' mental health. Although the pandemic promoted the image of nursing to the general public, nurses were disappointed that in the face of the healthcare crisis and the constant threat, they had to struggle with difficult working conditions and professional, social and economic recognition. This study therefore stresses the duty of policy makers to undertake a systemic approach to improving the organisation of health care and increase nurses' safety by providing them with a safe working environment and prepare them better for the next health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Wałowska
- Department of Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases, Internal Medicine and Dietetics, Heliodor Swiecicki Clinical Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-355 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jan Domaradzki
- Laboratory of Health Sociology and Social Pathology, Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
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Wałowska K, Domaradzki J. Superheroes or Super Spreaders? The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Attitudes towards Nurses: A Qualitative Study from Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2912. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
The social perception of the nursing profession in Poland is profoundly affected by social stereotypes that may discourage young people from entering the profession and lead to prejudice towards nurses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses gained visibility, which caused the social image of nurses to likewise grow. In this study, we explore nurses’ experiences with respect to how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the social image of nursing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen hospital nurses. Three major themes emerged: (1) social attitudes towards nurses during the pandemic, (2) nurses’ perception of the impact of the pandemic on the social image of the nursing profession and (3) the impact of the pandemic on nurses’ mental health. Although the pandemic promoted the image of nursing to the general public, nurses were disappointed that in the face of the healthcare crisis and the constant threat, they had to struggle with difficult working conditions and professional, social and economic recognition. This study therefore stresses the duty of policy makers to undertake a systemic approach to improving the organisation of health care and increase nurses’ safety by providing them with a safe working environment and prepare them better for the next health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Wałowska
- Department of Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases, Internal Medicine and Dietetics, Heliodor Swiecicki Clinical Hospital, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-355 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jan Domaradzki
- Laboratory of Health Sociology and Social Pathology, Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
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10
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Gaber DM, Ahmed MM, Sayed AM, Elkholy YS, Sarhan MD. Perception of COVID-19-related stigma and associated psychological challenges among healthcare workers at Cairo University hospitals. J Int Med Res 2023; 51:3000605221148833. [PMID: 36650917 PMCID: PMC9869217 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221148833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The current study explores the level of perceived social stigma and associated psychological challenges among healthcare workers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 150 healthcare workers at Cairo University hospitals that were confirmed positive for COVID-19 infection. Participants were interviewed for assessment of perceived COVID-19-related stigma and associated psychological symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment for anxiety, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for post-traumatic stress symptoms. RESULTS Two-thirds of participants perceived moderate-to-severe COVID-19-related stigma. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms were observed at varying levels in 58.0%, 38.0%, and 11.3% of participants, respectively. Female sex and occupation as a nurse were significantly associated with the total perceived COVID-19-related stigma score. COVID-19-related stigma perception significantly correlated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. CONCLUSION Perceived social stigma prevails among healthcare workers and is associated with numerous psychological disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Mohamed Gaber
- Assistant Lecturer of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt,Dalia Mohamed Gaber, Assistant Lecturer of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Mount Cairo, 2/8, 3rd settlement, Middle Plateau, El Mokattam, 11571, Cairo, Egypt.
| | | | - Amal Mohamed Sayed
- Professor of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Yasmine Samy Elkholy
- Assistant Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Mai Diaa Sarhan
- Lecturer of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
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11
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Bella A, Swarnata A, Melinda G, Nurshadrina DS, Dartanto T. Changes in Smoking Status and Behaviors After the First 10 Months of COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia. NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON NICOTINE AND TOBACCO 2023; 25:228-236. [PMID: 35366324 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntac086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There remains inconclusive evidence on potential changes in smoking status and behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-9) pandemic, especially in developing countries. AIMS AND METHODS This study explores the direction of changes in smoking status and behaviors after 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia as well as examining the association between economic shocks and changes in smoking behaviors. Primary data were gathered through a phone survey targeting productive-age mobile-phone users in Indonesia (n = 1082). Descriptive analysis was employed to determine changes in smoking status and behaviors 10 months into the pandemic, while logistic regression analysis was used to investigate how employment shocks, financial strain, COVID-19-related indicators, and demographic characteristics were associated with smoking behaviors of people who continue smoking. RESULTS Respondents experiencing changes in smoking status were dominated by people who persistently smoked during the pandemic, while those who quit, relapsed, and started smoking, was extremely small. Nevertheless, a considerable portion of people who continue smoking adjusted their smoking behaviors: 40.3% reduced smoking intensity and 25.3% switched to lower-price cigarettes. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that, among people who continue smoking, those who experienced financial strain during the pandemic had higher odds of reducing smoking intensity, while those who switched to lower job status had higher odds of switching to cheaper cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS The research has shown that smoking status and behaviors of people who continue smoking mostly remained unchanged after 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in employment and financial conditions during the pandemic were associated with modified smoking behaviors. IMPLICATIONS This study is the first to determine the direction and analyze the factors of changes in smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. This new understanding should help improve predicting the trends in smoking in future crises or pandemics in developing countries, specifically Indonesia. The discovered patterns on smokers' reaction to an exogenous shock may provide evidence to support tobacco control policies in Indonesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Bella
- Research and Development Division, Centre for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Central Jakarta, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Indonesia.,Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arya Swarnata
- Research and Development Division, Centre for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Central Jakarta, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Gea Melinda
- Research and Development Division, Centre for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Central Jakarta, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Dimitri Swasthika Nurshadrina
- Research and Development Division, Centre for Indonesia's Strategic Development Initiatives (CISDI), Central Jakarta, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Teguh Dartanto
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java, Indonesia
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Al Houri HN, Alhouri A, Akasheh RT, Jovanovic CES, Al-tarcheh H, Arrouk DMN, Alhouri AN, Marrawi M, Juweid ME, Latifeh Y. The development and validation of a novel COVID19 stigma scale among healthcare workers (COVISS-HCWs). BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1481. [PMID: 36471368 PMCID: PMC9720915 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08911-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result in stigmatization of individuals who may carry the virus. This is of special concern to healthcare workers who tolerate additional physical and emotional stress at times of pandemic. The aims of this study are to (1) develop and validate the COVID-19 Stigma Scale (COVISS-HCWs) survey; and (2) investigate the experience of stigma among healthcare workers possibly dealing with COVID-19 patients in five major public hospitals in Damascus, Syria. METHODS We divided the sample into two parts and then underwent EFA on the first 350 participants, dividing the 14 questions into two dimensions. Furthermore, CFA was conducted on the other 350 participants to confirm how correctly a hypothesized model matched the factor structure by EFA, as described above. Moreover, the coefficient of determination (R2) and item-scale correlations (standardized factor loading) were estimated to establish the acceptability of the final structure of the COVISS-HCWs. Through a cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 700 healthcare workers participated in a self-administered questionnaire containing a section for demographic variables and another for newly designed COVISS-HCWs. The scale comprises 14 adapted and novel items that measure two subscales: feelings of perceived harm and inferiority, and avoidance. Descriptive statistics, reliability, and validity were evaluated. RESULTS The 14 COVISS-HCWs items were reduced to 11 items with a high Cronbach's α of 0.909. A significant correlation was observed between the responses to each COVISS-HCWs item and the corresponding subscale, and between each subscale and the overall scale. Feeling stigmatized was reported by 9.86% of the participants. Younger age, low socioeconomic status, and higher intensity of contact with COVID-19 patients significantly correlated with higher stigmatization. CONCLUSIONS The novel COVISS-HCWs is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate stigma among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stigma prevalence among healthcare workers was 9.86%. Therefore, this must be addressed to prevent possible psychosocial and public health repercussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Nabil Al Houri
- grid.8192.20000 0001 2353 3326Internal Medicine Department, Al Assad University Hospital, Al Mouwasat University Hospital, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Abdullah Alhouri
- grid.416094.e0000 0000 9007 4476Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK
| | - Rand T. Akasheh
- grid.448899.00000 0004 0516 7256Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, American University of Madaba, Madaba, 11821 Jordan
| | - Christine E. S. Jovanovic
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Heba Al-tarcheh
- grid.8192.20000 0001 2353 3326Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Al Assad University Hospital, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Douaa Mohammad Nazir Arrouk
- grid.8192.20000 0001 2353 3326Applied Statistics – Quantitative Methods, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
| | - Ahmad Nabil Alhouri
- grid.449576.d0000 0004 5895 8692Faculty of Medicine, Syrian Private University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Marah Marrawi
- Department of Mathematical Statistics, Faculty of Science, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
| | - Malik E. Juweid
- grid.411944.d0000 0004 0474 316XDepartment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Jordan Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Youssef Latifeh
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Syrian Private University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
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Zhou X, Chen C, Yao Y, Xia J, Cao L, Qin X. The scar that takes time to heal: A systematic review of COVID-19-related stigma targets, antecedents, and outcomes. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1026712. [PMID: 36533056 PMCID: PMC9752089 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1026712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, as a crucial public health crisis, has affected our lives in nearly every aspect. Besides its major health threats, COVID-19 brings severe secondary impacts, one of which is the rise of social stigma. Although numerous studies have examined the antecedents and outcomes of COVID-19-related stigma, we still lack a systematic understanding of who is being stigmatized during the COVID-19 pandemic, what exacerbates COVID-19-related stigma, and what impacts COVID-19-related stigma has on victims. Therefore, this review aims to provide a systematic overview of COVID-19-related stigma. With 93 papers conducted with 126,371 individuals in more than 150 countries and territories spanning five continents, we identify three targets that have received the most research: Chinese/Asian people, (suspected) patients and survivors, and healthcare workers. Furthermore, we find that for each stigma target, characteristics of the stigmatized, stigmatizer, and context contribute to COVID-19-related stigma and that this stigma negatively influences victims' health and non-health outcomes. We call for future research to provide a more integrative, balanced, and rigorous picture of COVID-19-related stigma via conducting research on neglected topics (e.g., contextual factors that contribute to stigma toward HCWs) and stigma interventions and using a longitudinal design. In practice, we urge governments and institutions (e.g., ministries of public health, hospitals) to pay close attention to stigma issues and to promote safe and inclusive societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhou
- Department of Business Administration, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Business Administration, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuewei Yao
- Department of Business Administration, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingtian Xia
- Department of Business Administration, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Limei Cao
- Department of Business Administration, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Qin
- Department of Business Administration, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Sah R, Reda A, Abdelaal A, Mohanty A, Siddiq A, Alshahrani NZ, Amer FA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ. A potential monkeypox pandemic: are we making the same mistakes as COVID-19? New Microbes New Infect 2022; 49:101030. [PMID: 36123971 PMCID: PMC9473140 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2022.101030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit Sah
- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Corresponding author. Infectious Diseases Fellowship, Clinical Research (Harvard Medical School), Global Clinical Scholars Research Training (Harvard Medical School), 44600, Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Abdullah Reda
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Abdelaziz Abdelaal
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, El-Gharbia, Egypt
| | - Aroop Mohanty
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, India
| | | | | | - Fatma A. Amer
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundacion Universitaria Autonoma de Las Americas, Pereira 660003, Colombia
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Universidad Cientifica del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru
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15
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Faghankhani M, Nourinia H, Rafiei-Rad AA, Adeli AM, Yeganeh MRJ, Sharifi H, Namazi H, Khosravifar S, Bahramian A, Fathimakvand M, Golalipour E, Mirfazeli FS, Baradaran HR, Thornicroft G, Jalali Nadoushan AH. COVID-19 related stigma among the general population in Iran. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1681. [PMID: 36064385 PMCID: PMC9442561 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14039-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 related stigma has been identified as a critical issue since the beginning of the pandemic. We developed a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure COVID-19 related enacted stigma, inflicted by the non-infected general population. We applied the questionnaire to measure COVID-19 related enacted stigma among Tehran citizens from 27 to 30 September 2020. METHODS A preliminary questionnaire with 18 items was developed. The total score ranged from 18 to 54; a higher score indicated a higher level of COVID-19 related stigma. An expert panel assessed the face and content validity. Of 1637 randomly recruited Tehran citizens without a history of COVID-19 infection, 1064 participants consented and were interviewed by trained interviewers by phone. RESULTS Item content validity index (I-CVI), Item content validity ratio (I-CVR), and Item face validity index (I-FVI) were higher than 0.78 for all 18 items. The content and face validity were established with a scale content validity index (S-CVI) of 0.90 and a scale face validity index (S-CVI) of 93.9%, respectively. Internal consistency of the questionnaire with 18 items was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha of 0.625. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five latent variables, including "blaming", "social discrimination", "dishonor label", "interpersonal contact", and "retribution and requital attitude". The median of the stigma score was 24 [25th percentile: 22, 75the percentile: 28]. A large majority (86.8%) of participants reported a low level of stigma with a score below 31. None of the participants showed a high level of stigma with a score above 43. We found that the higher the educational level the lower the participant's stigma score. CONCLUSION We found a low level of stigmatizing thoughts and behavior among the non-infected general population in Tehran, which may be due to the social desirability effect, to the widespread nature of COVID-19, or to the adaptation to sociocultural diversity of the large city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoomeh Faghankhani
- Mental Health Research Center, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Mansouri Street, Niyayesh Street, Satarkhan Avenue, Tehran, 1445613111 Iran
| | - Hossein Nourinia
- Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research, Humanities and Social Studies Research Center, 47 Nazari Street, Abureyhan Street, Enghelab Avenue, Tehran, 141554364 Iran
| | - Ali Ahmad Rafiei-Rad
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Haft-Bagh Highway, Medical University Campus, 7616911320 Kerman, Iran
| | - Aliyeh Mahdavi Adeli
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 1449614535 Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Javadi Yeganeh
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Jalal Al-e Ahmad Highway, Tehran, 1411713118 Iran
| | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Haft-Bagh Highway, Medical University Campus, 7616911320 Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Namazi
- Department of Medical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, PourSina Street, Qods Street, Tehran, 1417613151 Iran
- Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, PourSina Street, Qods Street, Tehran, 1417613151 Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Khosravifar
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Hezar Jerib Street, Isfahan, 8174673461 Iran
| | - Alaleh Bahramian
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Mansouri Street, Niyayesh Street, Satarkhan Avenue, Tehran, 1445613111 Iran
| | - Mahdi Fathimakvand
- CEO, Armandar Company, 16 Kambiz Street, West Zartosht Street, Apt. 7., Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Golalipour
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Arabi Avenue, Daneshjoo Boulevard, Velenjak, Tehran, 1983963113 Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadat Mirfazeli
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Mansouri Street, Niyayesh Street, Satarkhan Avenue, Tehran, 1445613111 Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Baradaran
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Next to Milad Tower, Tehran, 1449614535 Iran
- Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research Team, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZD UK
| | - Graham Thornicroft
- Centre for Global Mental Health and Centre for Implementation Science, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Amir Hossein Jalali Nadoushan
- Mental Health Research Center, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Mansouri Street, Niyayesh Street, Satarkhan Avenue, Tehran, 1445613111 Iran
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Mansouri Street, Niyayesh Street, Satarkhan Avenue, Tehran, 1445613111 Iran
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16
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Brolan CE, Körver S, Phillips G, Sharma D, Herron LM, O'Reilly G, Mitchell R, Kendino M, Poloniati P, Kafoa B, Cox M. Lessons from the frontline: The COVID-19 pandemic emergency care experience from a human resource perspective in the Pacific region. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2022; 25:100514. [PMID: 35815241 PMCID: PMC9253868 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Background This study explores emergency care (EC) and other frontline healthcare worker (HCW) experiences responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pacific region. The crisis has reinforced the crucial role well-trained, resourced, and supported EC providers play in supporting vital health systems and services in all global regions not only during 'business as usual' periods, but in times of tremendous stress and surge. Methods Qualitative data were collected from EC providers and relevant stakeholders in three research phases in 2020 and 2021. Data on the World Health Organization's (WHO) Human Resources Building Block, adapted for the Pacific EC context, was thematically analysed. Key findings were further analysed to identify enablers and barriers to effective EC pandemic management. Findings 116 participants from across the Pacific region participated in this study. Five themes emerged: (1) EC providers performed multiple pandemic roles; (2) Importance of authorities' valuing frontline HCWs; (3) HCW mental health and exhaustion; (4) HCW tension managing stigma, personal/professional expectations, and chronic health needs; and (5) Building health and human resource capacity. Interpretation This study significantly contributes to the limited scientific literature on HCW experiences responding to COVID-19 across the Pacific. Recommendations arising out of this research align with consensus priorities and standards that were identified pre-pandemic by health stakeholders across the Pacific for enhancing EC system development. With limited HCWs available for many Pacific nations, it is imperative the dignity and welfare of local HCWs is genuinely prioritised. Funding Epidemic Ethics/WHO, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office/Wellcome Grant 214711/Z/18/Z. Co-funding: Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Foundation, International Development Fund Grant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E. Brolan
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Policy Futures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sarah Körver
- Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Georgina Phillips
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Emergency Department, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji
| | - Lisa-Maree Herron
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gerard O'Reilly
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Global Programs, Emergency & Trauma Centre, Alfred Health, Australia
| | - Rob Mitchell
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Emergency & Trauma Centre, Alfred Health, Australia
| | | | | | - Berlin Kafoa
- Public Health Division, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji
| | - Megan Cox
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
- The Sutherland Hospital, NSW, Australia
- NSW Ambulance, Sydney, Australia
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17
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Sutantri S, Putri AF, Ismiyati R. "Getting caught unprepared": A phenomenological study of Indonesian nurses dealing with difficulties when caring for patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Nurs Health Sci 2022; 24:469-478. [PMID: 35430775 PMCID: PMC9115483 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has brought pressure and challenges to nurses worldwide. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of nurses in overcoming challenges when delivering care for patients with COVID‐19 in Indonesia. The study employed a phenomenological research design. The researchers purposely selected nine nurses who provided care for patients with COVID‐19 at an urban public hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between September and December 2020. The researchers conducted face‐to‐face interviews with participants. The interview data transcriptions were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis. The experiences of nurses in providing care for patients with COVID‐19 can be summarized into three themes: (1) getting caught unprepared, (2) understanding and adapting to a new working situation, and (3) finding new meaning in the nursing profession. This study suggested that nurses overcame difficulties in caring for patients with COVID‐19 by using multidimensional and culturally informed coping strategies. Hospital managers and policymakers need to consider culturally relevant coping strategies (i.e., religious‐based coping strategies) when supporting healthcare providers during public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutantri Sutantri
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Rini Ismiyati
- Health Promotion Unit, DR. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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18
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Osman DM, Khalaf FR, Ahmed GK, Abdelbadee AY, Abbas AM, Mohammed HM. Worry from contracting COVID-19 infection and its stigma among Egyptian health care providers. JOURNAL OF THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION 2022; 97:2. [PMID: 35006408 PMCID: PMC8744032 DOI: 10.1186/s42506-021-00099-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Healthcare providers (HCPs) in COVID-19 epidemic face stressful workload of disease management, shortage of protective equipment and high risk of infection and mortality. These stressors affect greatly their mental health. The aim is to identify working conditions among Egyptian HCPs during COVID-19 epidemic as well as stigma and worry perceptions from contracting COVID-19 infection and their predictors. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 565 HCPs. Data was collected through Google online self-administered questionnaire comprised seven parts: demographics characteristics, knowledge and attitude of COVID-19, working condition, worry of contracting COVID-19 at work, discrimination intention at work for COVID-19 patients, stigma assessment using impact stigma, and internalized shame scales. RESULTS The vast majority of HCPs (94.7%) were worried from contracting COVID-19 at work. Risk factors for perceiving severe worry from contracting COVID-19 were expecting infection as a severe illness, believing that infection will not be successfully controlled, improbability to continue working during the pandemic even if in a well/fit health, high discrimination intention and impact stigma scales. Significantly high impact stigma scores were detected among those aged < 30 years, females, workers primarily in sites susceptible for contracting COVID-19 infection, those had severe worry from contracting infection at work, and high internalized shame scale. The risk factors for perceiving higher internalized shame scores were not having a previous experience in working during a pandemic, high discrimination intention towards COVID-19 patients and high impact stigma scale. CONCLUSIONS Considerable levels of worry and stigma were detected among Egyptian HCPs during COVID-19 outbreak. The psychological aspect of health care providers should not be overlooked during epidemic; appropriate institutional mental health support should be provided especially for young HCPs, those without previous work experience in epidemic and those who work in high-risk units. Raising the community awareness about contribution of HCPs in fighting the epidemic might decrease stigmatization action toward HCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa Mohamed Osman
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Fatma R Khalaf
- Family and Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Gellan K Ahmed
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ahmed Y Abdelbadee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Abbas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Heba M Mohammed
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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19
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Yuan K, Huang XL, Yan W, Zhang YX, Gong YM, Su SZ, Huang YT, Zhong Y, Wang YJ, Yuan Z, Tian SS, Zheng YB, Fan TT, Zhang YJ, Meng SQ, Sun YK, Lin X, Zhang TM, Ran MS, Wong SYS, Rüsch N, Shi L, Bao YP, Lu L. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of stigma in infectious diseases, including COVID-19: a call to action. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:19-33. [PMID: 34580416 PMCID: PMC8475479 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01295-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases, including COVID-19, are crucial public health issues and may lead to considerable fear among the general public and stigmatization of, and discrimination against, specific populations. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of stigma in infectious disease epidemics. We systematically searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases since inception to June 08, 2021, and reported the prevalence of stigma towards people with infectious diseases including SARS, H1N1, MERS, Zika, Ebola, and COVID-19. A total of 50 eligible articles were included that contributed 51 estimates of prevalence in 92722 participants. The overall pooled prevalence of stigma across all populations was 34% [95% CI: 28-40%], including enacted stigma (36% [95% CI: 28-44%]) and perceived stigma (31% [95% CI: 22-40%]). The prevalence of stigma in patients, community population, and health care workers, was 38% [95% CI: 12- 65%], 36% [95% CI: 28-45%], and 30% [95% CI: 20-40%], respectively. The prevalence of stigma in participants from low- and middle-income countries was 37% [95% CI: 29-45%], which is higher than that from high-income countries (27% [95% CI: 18-36%]) though this difference was not statistically significant. A similar trend of prevalence of stigma was also observed in individuals with lower education (47% [95% CI: 23-71%]) compared to higher education level (33% [95% CI: 23-4%]). These findings indicate that stigma is a significant public health concern, and effective and comprehensive interventions are needed to counteract the damaging effects of the infodemics during infectious disease epidemics, including COVID-19, and reduce infectious disease-related stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yuan
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Huang
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yan
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Xin Zhang
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking-Tsinghua Centre for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Miao Gong
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking-Tsinghua Centre for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Zhen Su
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue-Tong Huang
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhong
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking-Tsinghua Centre for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Jie Wang
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking-Tsinghua Centre for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Yuan
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shan-Shan Tian
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Bo Zheng
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking-Tsinghua Centre for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Teng-Teng Fan
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Jian Zhang
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Qiu Meng
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Kun Sun
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Ming Zhang
- grid.39436.3b0000 0001 2323 5732Department of Social Work, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mao-Sheng Ran
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Samuel-Yeung-Shan Wong
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nicolas Rüsch
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University and BKH Günzburg, Ulm, Germany
| | - Le Shi
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yan-Ping Bao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China. .,School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Lin Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit (No.2018RU006), Peking University, Beijing, China. .,Peking-Tsinghua Centre for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China. .,National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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20
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Di Y, Li A, Li H, Wu P, Yang S, Zhu M, Zhu T, Liu X. Stigma toward Wuhan people during the COVID-19 epidemic: an exploratory study based on social media. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1958. [PMID: 34715825 PMCID: PMC8554505 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stigma associated with infectious diseases is common and causes various negative effects on stigmatized people. With Wuhan as the center of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, its people were likely to be the target of stigmatization. To evaluate the severity of stigmatization toward Wuhan people and provide necessary information for stigma mitigation, this study aimed to identify the stigmatizing attitudes toward Wuhan people and trace their changes as COVID-19 progresses in China by analyzing related posts on social media. Methods We collected 19,780 Weibo posts containing the keyword ‘Wuhan people’ and performed a content analysis to identify stigmatizing attitudes in the posts. Then, we divided our observation time into three periods and performed repeated-measures ANOVA to compare the differences in attitudes during the three periods. Results The results showed that stigma was mild, with 2.46% of related posts being stigmatizing. The percentages of stigmatizing posts differed significantly during the three periods. The percentages of ‘Infectious’ posts and ‘Stupid’ posts were significantly different for the three periods. The percentage of ‘Irresponsible’ posts was not significantly different for the three periods. After government interventions, stigma did not decrease significantly, and stigma with the ‘Infectious’ attitude even increased. It was not until the government interventions took effect that stigma significantly reduced. Conclusions This study found that stigma toward Wuhan people included diverse attitudes and changed at different periods. After government interventions but before they took effect, stigma with the ‘Infectious’ attitude increased. After government interventions took effect, general stigma and stigmas with ‘Infectious’ and ‘Stupid’ attitudes decreased. This study constituted an important endeavor to understand the stigma toward Wuhan people in China during the COVID-19 epidemic. Implications for stigma reduction and improvement of the public’s perception during different periods of epidemic control are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazheng Di
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ang Li
- Department of Psychology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - He Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Peijing Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Simin Yang
- Department of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan, 430205, China
| | - Tingshao Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoqian Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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