Stigma and COVID-19 in Iran: a rapid assessment
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 17 November 2020
Issue publication date: 6 February 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to investigate the perceived stigma among residents of Sanandaj, west of Iran, following COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional study conducted from March to April 2020. The sample consisted of 1,000 participants who live in Sanandaj. The data collection tool was a self-report electronic questionnaire. ANOVA and T-test were used to analyze the data.
Findings
The mean perceived stigma for COVID-19 was 5.50±2.24 (IQR: 3.75–6.87) out of 10-point scale. The highest point was seen for perceived external stigma (6.73±2.49, IQR: 5–8.75) followed by disclosure stigma (4.95±3.92, IQR: 0–10). Interestingly, self-employers were more concerned about disclosing their illness than those with governmental jobs (25±3.93 vs. 4.31±4.14, P<0.05), and also had an overall higher stigma score; 5.72±2.23 vs. 5.19±2.37, P<0.05).
Originality/value
COVID-19 stigma is high among Iranians and more common among men, youngsters and self-employers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to officials of all the participations who cooperated during data collection and also highly appreciate the financial support of by Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran (IR.MUK.REC.1398.319).This study was conducted with the financial support of the Deputy Research and Technology of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.
Citation
Shokri, A., Moradi, G., Mohamadi Bolbanabad, A., Satary, M., Shabrandi, M., Sadeghkhani, P., Mohammadi, A., Ghorishi, A., Veisy, R., Veysi, A., Piroozi, B., Amiri Hoseini, S., Darvishi, S. and Asadi, H. (2021), "Stigma and COVID-19 in Iran: a rapid assessment", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 4-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-04-2020-0025
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited