COVID-19 Linked Social Stigma Among Arab Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Experiences from the Active Phase of the Pandemic

Abstract

Norah Abdullah Bazek Madkhali,1 AbdulRahman Ameri,2 Zakariya Yaqoob Al-Naamani,3 Bushra Alshammari,4 Mohammed Abdullah Bazek Madkhali,5 Arshad Jawed,1 Faten Alfaifi,1 Amani Ali Kappi,1 Shafiul Haque6 1Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia; 2Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital, MOH, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 3Armed Forces Medical Services School (AFMSS), Muscat, Oman; 4Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia; 5Al Tuwal General Hospital, MOH, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 6Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Norah Abdullah Bazek Madkhali, Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan, 45142, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: This study aimed to explore the magnitude and variability of the disease-linked stigma among COVID-19 survivors and their experiences of social stigma, coping strategies, contextual challenges, and preferences for support.Methods: An Arabic version of the social stigma survey questionnaire was designed and validated to obtain socio-demographic characteristics and quantitative measures of stigma encountered by the survivors. 482 COVID-19 survivors completed the survey, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.Results: The results of this study revealed the prevalence of high levels of both perceived external stigma and enacted stigma among participants. Enacted and Internalized stigma were associated with survivors’ educational background/ status. The participants suggested three levels of support: organizational, social, and personal. Establishing an online stigma reduction program and national psychological crisis interventions at the organizational level. It is crucial to assist coping mechanisms and societal reintegration techniques at the social level.Conclusion: These results provide valuable insights for holistic health policy formation and preparedness strategies for future pandemics, helping survivors promote health and reintegrate into society, where stigma reduction and psychological crisis interventions are underdeveloped.Keywords: COVID-19, survivor, stigma, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, Saudi Arabia

Keywords

• covid-19
• survivor
• stigma
• sars-cov-2
• pandemic
• saudi arabia