Ethical issues, breakdown during COVID-19 pandemic era in upper and lower Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Outbreaks of infectious disease are also marked by sociocultural unrest, and a general atmosphere of fear and mistrust. On 30 January 2020, a COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic was declared an international public health emergency, this outbreak provoked a negative association, social stigma and a discriminatory behavior against people of certain ethnic foundations as well as anybody seen to have been in contact with the infection. Aim of the study: The goal of this study is to concentrate on the relationships between stigma evoked during the COVID-19 pandemic, breaking the privacy and confidentiality of infected individuals and job affection, social harm, seeking health assistance and also promoting awareness of these issues among Egyptians. Subjects and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study questionnaire on a random sample of 500 respondents (250 for each) conducted at Benha city and Assiut city, Egypt. Results: Respondents to the questionnaire revealed that 60.0% of Upper Egypt preferred to home quarantine while (53.2%) of Lower Egypt preferred hospital quarantine. Most respondents from both Upper and Lower Egypt agreed to do COVID-19 PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test. In addition, respondents in Upper and Lower Egypt declined to publish their names because participants in Upper Egypt related their refuse due to affection on their social lives while participants in Lower Egypt refused to publish their names because of a violation of their privacy. Conclusions: COVID-19 infection pandemic has a negative effect on the ethical issues as confidentiality breakdown of patients, emergence of stigma, economic and social implications.