Nurses' experiences of the social stigma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study.

Background: One of the psychological issues that health personnel face when treating COVID-19 patients is the societal stigma. This issue has not been addressed due to the disease's devastating impact on numerous sectors of society. This study aimed to evaluate nurses' experiences of social stigma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic with a qualitative approach. Methods: Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to conduct this qualitative research. COVID ward nurses who had been subjected to social stigma were chosen as the study sample. Data were collected through semi-structured and individual interviews and were concurrently analysed using the conventional content analysis approach recommended by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: There are three categories and six sub-categories of social stigma experienced by nurses: (1) paradoxical emotions (psychological stress and positive attitude), (2) abandonment (all-round rejection and isolation) and (3) coping strategies (self-awareness over time and the influential role of the media). Conclusions: The findings of this study can help healthcare managers to improve the quality of care by enhancing understanding of the psychological needs arising from social stigma. Based on these findings, designing psychosocial interventions related to stigma can promote the mental health of this group and their families.

Practical intervention on quality of life of anemic girls and their mothers.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is the most prevalent disease in teenage girls and like other chronic diseases not only affects different aspects of their quality of life (QOl) but also quality of life of their parents. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study is investigating the effectiveness of family centered empowerment model (FCEM) on adolescent girls with anemia and their mother's quality of life. METHODS: Semi-experimental practical research is performed by choosing 60 girls with anemia and their mothers classified in two case and control groups based on random allocation in Tehran city. The eight sessions of educational program based on educational needs of girls & mothers in case group done for two months. The post test was carried out 1/5 month after the end of intervention through QOl questionnaire in case and control groups. Data analysis was performed using statistical methods including t-test, paired t-test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the QOl in adolescent girls and their mothers between the two case and control groups before intervention (P=0/473 & P=0/94 respectively). While, after the intervention independent t-test showed a significant difference between the two case and control groups (P>0/001). CONCLUSIONS: Findings showed that the FCEM promote the QOl in adolescent girls with anemia and their mothers. It is recommended that extensive studies be performed on the effectiveness of this model for other chronic diseases in different age groups.