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Anticipated and Experienced Stigma After Testing Positive for SARS-CoV-2: A Qualitative Study.
- Source :
-
Health promotion practice [Health Promot Pract] 2024 Mar; Vol. 25 (2), pp. 235-243. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Aug 11. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Introduction: Stigma has inhibited public health practitioners' influence during the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore the experienced and anticipated stigma of people affiliated with a large university in the United States, using the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework.<br />Methods: We conducted a qualitative secondary substudy of 20 people who tested SARS-CoV-2 positive and 10 who tested negative in the summer of 2020, selected from a study of 3,324 university students and employees.<br />Findings: No participants reported anticipated stigmatization prior to testing positive. However, eight of 20 participants recounted stigma marking (being marked by COVID-19 diagnosis or membership in a "high-risk" group) or manifestations of stigma after testing positive, including feelings of guilt or shame, and concerns about being judged as selfish or irresponsible. Three described being denied services or social interactions as a result of having had COVID-19, long after their infectiousness ended. Participants noted that clear public health messaging must be paired with detailed scientific information, rather than leaving people to resort to non-experts to understand the science.<br />Discussion: Public health messaging designed to mitigate spread of SARS-CoV-2 and protect the community may perpetuate stigma and exacerbate inequities. As a result, people may avoid testing or treatment, mistrust public health messaging, or even use risk-increasing behavior as coping mechanisms.<br />Implications for Practice: Intentional use of language that promotes equity and deters discrimination must be high priority for any COVID-19-related public health messaging. Partnership with community leaders to co-create programs and disseminate messaging is a critical strategy for reducing stigma, especially for historically mistreated groups.
- Subjects :
- Humans
COVID-19 Testing
Pandemics
Social Stigma
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1524-8399
- Volume :
- 25
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Health promotion practice
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 35950699
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221115063