An observational study to evaluate psychological experience and social stigmas in COVID-19 patients: a prospective study on home isolated patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20213562Keywords:
COVID 19, Home isolation, Fear of COVID 19 scale, Stigma scale, StigmatizationAbstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused significant distress. Apart from evident physical symptoms in infected cases, it has caused serious damage to public mental health. The present study was carried out to assess disease burden, fear and stigma associated in home isolated patients.
Methods: A Prospective, observational study of 8 weeks began after IEC approval in diagnosed COVID 19 patients who were home isolated and visited by the researcher as part of Sanjeevni home care service launched by the municipal corporation. Number of patients turning symptomatic from asymptomatic was recorded. Frequency for transmission was also noted. Fear and social stigma by Fear of COVID 19 scale (FCV-19S) and Stigma scale was measured respectively.
Results: A total of 746 patients were included in the study (mean age: 40.2±16.2 years). About 105 patients (14.07%) suffered from co-morbidities like Hypertension, Diabetes, Obesity. About 38.47% were asymptomatic while 61.53% were symptomatic during their home isolation period. Among asymptomatic patients, 48.78% became symptomatic during their period of home isolation and follow up. A family member being found positive was 35.19% from asymptomatic patients while 34.85% from symptomatic patients. The mean score of the patients for fear and stigma in our study was 14.74±5.13 and 35.13±8.48 respectively.
Conclusions: Both symptomatic as well as asymptomatic patients can transmit the disease with equal frequency. Asymptomatic at diagnosis also converts to symptomatic in almost half of the population. This further highlights the importance of home isolation. This was the first time we have used a Stigma and Fear scale in patients affected by COVID 19 who were home isolated. Higher score of Fear scale was seen in >50 years of age.
References
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. GOI. http://www.mohfw.gov.inhttps://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/UpdatedClinicalManagementProtocolforCOVID19dated03072020.pdf. Accessed on 10th May 2021.
Bagcchi S. Stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2020;20(7):782.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. GOI. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedguidelinesforHomeIsolationofverymildpresymptomaticCOVID19cases10May2020.pdf. Accessed on 10th May, 2021.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. GOI. https://main.sci.gov.in/pdf/cir/covid19140 32020.pdf. Accessed on 10th May, 2021.
Uvais NA, Aziz F, and Hafeeq B. COVID-19 related stigma and perceived stress among dialysis staff. Journal of Nephrology.
Park JS, Lee EH, Park NR & Choi YH. Mental Health of Nurses Working at a Government-designated Hospital During a MERS-CoV Outbreak: A Cross-sectional Study. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. 2018:32(1):2-6.
Li Y, Shi J, Xia J, Duan J, Chen L, Yu X et al. Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Patients With Non-severe Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Have Similar Clinical Features and Virological Courses: A Retrospective Single Center Study. Frontiers in Microbiol. 2020;11.
Seçer İ, Ulaş S & Karaman ÖZ. The Effect of the Fear of COVID-19 on Healthcare Professionals’ Psychological Adjustment Skills: Mediating Role of Experiential Avoidance and Psychological Resilience. Frontiers in Psychol. 2020;11.
Bai YM, Li YJ, Lin C, Chen J, Chue C, Chou P. Survey of Stress Reactions Among Health Care Workers Involved With the SARS Outbreak. Psychiatric Services. 2004;55(9):1055-7.
Berger BE, Ferrans CE, Lashley FR. Measuring Stigma in People With HIV: Psychometric Assessment of the HIV Stigma Scale. Research in Nursing and Health. 2001;24:518-29.
Andrade EF, Pereira LJ, Oliveira AP, Orlando DR, Alves DA, Guilarducci JS & Castelo PM. Perceived fear of COVID-19 infection according to sex, age and occupational risk using the Brazilian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Death Studies. 2020;1-10.
Sermrittirong S, Van Brakel WH. Stigma in leprosy: concepts, causes and determinants. Lepr Rev. 2014;85:36-47.
Ahorsu, DK, Lin CY, Imani V, Saffari M, Griffiths MD & Pakpour AH. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and Initial Validation. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. Advance Online Publication. 2020: 1-9.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. https://ahmedab adcity.gov.in/. Accessed on 10th May 2021
