Stigmatization, psychological and emotional trauma among frontline health care workers treated for COVID-19 in Lagos State, Nigeria: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in global health and economic crisis. We investigated the experiences of frontline health care workers recovering from COVID-19 in Lagos State Nigeria. Methods We conducted a qualitative study among frontline health workers recovering from COVID-19 in Lagos State, Nigeria. We interviewed 12 respondents based on data saturation. We used a checklist of questions to guide the interview according to the phenomenon under study. Data obtained was analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Results The study was summarized under five themes: knowledge of COVID-19, exposure, reactions, challenges and recommendations. The respondents were quite knowledgeable on COVID-19, their reactions when informed of their status were denial, anxiety, distress, disorientation, crying for fear of stigmatization, while some were psychologically prepared. Reactions from colleagues, family and friends were encouraging and provided solace for them with a few colleagues and families that had negative reactions. Challenges include anosmia, movement restriction, loneliness, worries about the state of their families, nondisclosure of status to family members, non-conducive isolation centre with limited space, insomnia, stigmatization by health workers at the isolation centre, extended duration of stay, delay in the release of test results and use of ambulance for evacuation to the isolation centres. Coping strategies were watching movies, phone calls, use of social media, listening to music, attending webinars, working on projects and reading spiritual books. Recommendations were early laboratory testing of samples and conveying of results, increase testing capacity, the need of health care workers to be more compassionate, better method of evacuation of people that tested positive to COVID-19, aside the use of ambulance that increases the likelihood of stigmatization and standard guideline for the case management of people recovering from COVID-19 in Lagos state. Conclusions Respondents felt stigmatized and psychologically and morally traumatized. Isolation is a difficult experience and some negative emotions as expressed by previous studies were experienced by the respondents. There is need for increased testing capacity, timely results, early evacuation and creation of more isolation centres in Lagos State due to the rising number of cases and shortage of bed space.

Fear, Psychosomatic Symptoms and Satisfaction of Primary Healthcare Workers during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Rivers State Nigeria: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

“…Our findings showed no stigmatization on the part of the PHCWs. This is contrary to other studies in Nigeria and abroad which revealed that healthcare workers were highly stigmatized by people around them [13][14][15][16][17][18]. The possible explanation for this could be that the people believed that these are PHCWs who are not frontline workers who are in direct contact with the COVID-19 patients.…”

Risk of COVID-19-related bullying, harassment and stigma among healthcare workers: an analytical cross-sectional global study

“…Some of the challenges postdiagnosis include loneliness, worries about the state of their families, non-disclosure of status to family members, isolation centres with limited space, insomnia and, paradoxically, stigmatisation by other health workers at the isolation centre. 3 In Mexico, nurses were denied public transport and physically assaulted. 13 In India, doctors were asked to vacate from their homes and attacked while carrying out their duties, believing them to be a source of infection that spread in housing complexes.…”

“…Consequently, stigma has a negative impact on health outcomes aggravated by the mental health implications and social isolation that challenge public health initiatives targeting solutions for health concerns. 3 4 …”

Stigmatization and Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

“…Another issue raised by the FHCW was about patients nding it di cult to accept their test result within 12 to 24 hours after they were brought to the isolation centre. This type of reaction "denial" is usually common with asymptomatic patients in a study (9) conducted in Lagos, Nigeria.…”

“…(a) Any form of stigmatization by family members(9)? (b) Have you experienced any form of stigmatization by your colleagues (9)? (c) Did you observe any form of stigmatization by your community(9)?…”