Addressing Disease-Related Stigma During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Abstract

Outbreaks of emerging infectious disease are a constant threat. In the last 10 years, there have been outbreaks of 2009 influenza A (H1N1), Ebola virus disease, and Zika virus. Stigma associated with infectious disease can be a barrier to adopting healthy behaviors, leading to more severe health problems, ongoing disease transmission, and difficulty controlling infectious disease outbreaks. Much has been learned about infectious disease and stigma in the context of nearly 4 decades of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome pandemic. In this paper, we define stigma, discuss its relevance to infectious disease outbreaks, including how individuals and communities can be affected. Adapting lessons learned from the rich literature on HIV-related stigma, we propose a strategy for reducing stigma during infectious disease outbreaks such as Ebola virus disease and Zika virus. The implementation of brief, practical strategies such as the ones proposed here might help reduce stigma and facilitate more effective control of emerging infectious diseases.

A quantitative and qualitative study on the neuropsychiatric sequelae of acutely ill COVID-19 inpatients in isolation facilities

“…Feeling discriminated was a pertinent issue encountered by COVID-19 patients, which is consistent with previous studies that highlighted the stigma experienced by infected patients 46 who may be shunned by their loved ones, friends, and communities for being a carrier of the virus, or as part of a nationality or ethnic group that contributed to its transmission 47 . In addition, internalized stigma may also occur in which infected people view themselves as inferior to others, which leads to self-loathing as a result of their disease status 48,49 .…”

Occupational stress, job satisfaction, and intent to leave: nurses working on front lines during COVID-19 pandemic in Zagazig City, Egypt

“…This is consistent with Wu et al (2020) who reported that medical professionals who were not specialized in infectious disease experienced greater pressure when facing infected patients. Another dimension to infection risk exposure is stigmatization where people may consider HCWs a movable source of infection in the community (Fischer et al 2019), so stigmatization was a significant stressor for nurses of ZFH. On the other hand, although employing strict biosecurity measures is a must to prevent spread of infection to self and others, it was a significant stressor for nurses of ZFH.…”

Uncertainties, Fear and Stigma: Perceptions of Zika Virus among Pregnant Women in Spain

“…This highlights the need to strengthen trust and enhanced communications between patients and healthcare professionals to deliver accurate ZIKV information and to discuss sensitive topics, such as condom use or a possible termination of pregnancy, as well as the need to work on the de-stigmatization of the infection among the general population. Infectious-disease related stigma, such as leprosy, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, ZIKV, or COVID-19 could be a barrier to adopt health behaviors, leading to an increased transmission and difficulties to control outbreaks [ 33 ]. Studies have shown how Central and South American populations living in Spain experience ethnic discrimination, affecting their psycho-social health [ 34 ].…”