Social stigma during COVID-19: A systematic review
SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi,
Amir Masoud Afsahi,
Ramin Shahidi
et al.
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 extrac… Show more
“…Other studies also found high stigma associated with COVID-19 and vaccinations. 7,8 Lastly, the other highlighted limitations including of use of a fixed ratio of FEV1:FVC to define COPD, low smoking prevalence and inability to distinguishing between COPD phenotypes due to not being able to report TLC and RV, although it is believed that there would be more biomass phenotypes with high biomass exposure are acknowledged in our paper. We look forward to additional opportunities to illuminate further data on COPD with more specific diagnostics and larger cohorts.…”
“…Other studies also found high stigma associated with COVID-19 and vaccinations. 7,8 Lastly, the other highlighted limitations including of use of a fixed ratio of FEV1:FVC to define COPD, low smoking prevalence and inability to distinguishing between COPD phenotypes due to not being able to report TLC and RV, although it is believed that there would be more biomass phenotypes with high biomass exposure are acknowledged in our paper. We look forward to additional opportunities to illuminate further data on COPD with more specific diagnostics and larger cohorts.…”
BackgroundThe outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a setback to the gains achieved in tuberculosis (TB) control by impairing TB diagnosis, delaying treatment initiation and aggravating TB deaths. This study explored the effect of COVID-19 on paediatric TB services provided through the Catalysing Paediatric TB Innovations (CaP-TB) project among caregivers of children receiving TB services and healthcare workers (HCWs) providing TB services in Cameroon and Kenya.MethodsFrom March to September 2021, in-depth interviews (44) were conducted with caregivers whose children under 5 years had gone through TB services and programme managers (10) overseeing the CaP-TB project. Focus group discussions were conducted with HCWs (07) and community health workers (04) supporting TB care services. Transcripts were coded and analysed by using MAXQDA V.12.ResultsThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused fear and anxiety among HCWs and caregivers. This fear was motivated by stigma related to COVID-19 and affected the ability to screen patients for TB due to the similarity of symptoms with COVID-19. The health-seeking behaviour of patients was affected, as many caregivers avoided hospitals and those accessing the facilities concealed their sickness due to fear of testing positive or being vaccinated. In addition, COVID-19 mitigation strategies implemented by both government and health facilities to curb the spread of the virus limited patient access to paediatric healthcare services. These included temporary closure of health facilities due to COVID-19 infections among staff, transfer of services to other spaces, spacing out patient appointments and reduced time spent with patients.ConclusionsThe outbreak of COVID-19 has induced fear and stigma that affected patients’ health-seeking behaviour and provider attitudes towards paediatric TB service delivery. In addition, facility and governmental measures put in place to mitigate COVID-19 impact negatively affected paediatric service delivery. Training for health personnel, timely provision of personal protective equipments and appropriate communication strategies could help mitigate COVID-19 impact on paediatric TB service delivery.
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