ABSTRACT
Background Perceived stigma has greatly influenced the life quality of the COVID-19 patients who recovered and were discharged (RD hereafter). It is essential to understand COVID-19 stigma of RD and its related risk factors. The current study aims to identify the characteristics of perceived COVID-19 stigma in RD using latent profile analysis (LPA), to explore its psycho-social influencing factors, and to determine the cut-off point of the stigma scale using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among COVID-19 RD in 13 communities in Jianghan District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China from June 10 to July 25, 2021, enrolling total 1297 participants. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, COVID-19 perceived stigma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, fatigue, resilience, social support, and peace of mind. LPA was performed to identify different profiles of perceived COVID-19 stigma level. Univariate analysis and multinominal logistic regression analysis were conducted to explore the influencing factors in different profiles. ROC analyses was carried out to identify the cut-off value of perceived stigma. Results Among the participants, three profiles of perceived stigma were identified: “low perceived COVID-19 stigma” (12.8%), “moderate perceived COVID-19 stigma” (51.1%), and “severe perceived COVID-19 stigma” (36.1%). Multinominal logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, living with other people, anxiety, and sleep disorder were positively associated with moderate perceived COVID-19 stigma, while higher educational level was negatively associated with moderate perceived COVID-19 stigma. Female, older age, living with other people, anxiety, and sleep disorder were positively associated with severe perceived COVID-19 stigma, while higher educational level, social support, and peace of mind were negatively associated with severe perceived COVID-19 stigma. ROC curve of the Short Version of COVID-19 Stigma Scale(CSS-S) for screening perceived COVID-19 stigma showed that the optimal cut-off value was ≥20. Conclusion The study focuses on the issue of perceived COVID-19 stigma and its psycho-socio influencing factors. It provides evidence for implementing relevant psychological interventions to COVID-19 RD.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 vaccine has been available in China since the beginning of the 2021, however, certain numbers of people are reluctant for some reasons to vaccinate. The high vaccine coverage is crucial for controlling disease transmission. Meanwhile, the vaccine hesitancy might be a barrier to the establishment of sufficient herd immunization. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine among different population groups, and explores the characteristics of different groups about vaccine hesitancy and common barriers and facilitators to vaccination decisions. Methods: : The current survey was performed among students, public health professionals, medical workers and general population from January to March 2021 among Chinese from seven cities located in seven geographical territories of China. The questionnaire contained sociodemographic information, concerns about COVID-19 epidemic, general vaccination behavior and attitudes, the General Vaccine Hesitancy Scale, the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Scale and other potential factors of vaccine hesitancy. Univariate analysis was conducted by chi-squared test, and variables were significant at P < 0.10 were then included in a multivariable regression model. Results: : The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was 64.1% in our study, and a higher prevalence (73.7%) was in public health professionals compared to students (58.3%), medical workers (64.9%) and general population (61.1%). The results of multivariate analysis indicated that public health professionals were more likely to be hesitant against COVID-19 vaccine than general population (OR: 1.469, 95% CI: 1.069-2.019. And participants who needed transparent information about COVID-19 vaccine development, efficacy and safety (OR: 1.609, 95% CI: 1.343-1.928) and who have received negative information of COVID-19 vaccine (OR: 1.300, 95% CI: 1.130-1.496) were more likely to have vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions: : Appropriate training in knowledge and communication skills about vaccines are necessary for public health professionals to help themselves and the public to increase their willingness of vaccination. Reducing the spread of misinformation and disseminating facts in a timely and accurate way will likely reduce vaccine hesitancy. Also, to establish suitable communication strategies between the government and the public and a warning system on infodemic would be helpful to improve public’s confidence in vaccination.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background COVID-19 can lead to increased psychological symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, especially for patients with COVID-19. Studies suggest that mindfulness-based intervention is an effective, easily delivered and non-aggressive online therapy for patients with mental disorders. This study aims to explore the efficacy and possible mechanism of a Mindful Living With Challenge (MLWC) intervention designed for Chinese COVID-19 survivors in alleviating their psychological problems caused by both the disease and the pandemic.Methods This study is a protocol for a randomized controlled trial. More than 1600 eligible participants will be assigned 1:1 to an online MLWC intervention group or a waitlist control group. All participants will be asked to complete online questionnaires at baseline , post-program, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome is mental health status which includes PTSD and other psychological symptoms (i.e. depression, anxiety). The secondary outcomes are related physical symptoms including fatigue and sleeplessness assessed by verified scales such as the Fatigue Scale-14, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In addition, Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Nonattachment Scale, the Stillness Scale, the Resilience Style Questionnaire and the Social Support Scale will be used to assess the mindfulness, stillness, nonattachment level, resilience and perceived social support before and after the intervention, which may be the possible mediators and moderators of the link between the MLWC intervention and target outcomes. Data will be analyzed based on an intention-to-treat approach, and SPSS software will be used to perform statistical analysis.Discussion This study will provide scientific evidence on the efficacy and possible mechanism of the MLWC intervention in improving the quality of life and psychological status among COVID-19 survivors in China. Findings from this study will contribute to a growing research field that assesses the effectiveness of mobile-based and theoretically guided interventions for improving the psychological status of the COVID-19 survivors. Moreover, findings from this study will also contribute to the prevention and management of the psychological complications patients face during such public health emergencies.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR2000037524; Registered on August 29, 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=60034.