Socio-psychological behavior on COVID-19 patients from neighbors during home isolation in Kathmandu Valley-a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Coronavirus related to the RNA virus is mainly transmitted through droplet nuclei from infected persons cough, sneeze, etc. It aims to assess the socio-psychological behaviors of COVID-19 patients from neighbors during home isolation.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in Kathmandu Valley assessed the socio-psychological behavior of neighbors toward COVID-19 patients in home isolation. Validated questionnaires collected data from randomly selected respondents. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted, with P < 0.05 considered significant.

Result: The study included 422 respondents (54% male, 46% female), with most aged 36-45 years (38.6%), and followed by 46-55 years (21.1%). The most belonged to the middle class (39.8%) or poor economic status (38.6%). Regarding COVID-19, 66.4% of respondents' neighbors were known of their infection, with 49.8% avoiding them, 42.4% ignoring them, and 36.6% maintaining social distance. Furthermore, 60.2% of respondents faced protests to leave home isolation and go to a government isolation center, and 69.2% reported had not received support from neighbors. Among the 30.8% who received support, primarily emotional (55.4%), followed by financial and medical support (18.5% each). Neighbor behavior significantly impacted respondents' psychological well-being, with 27% experiencing depression, 21.3% anxiety, and 19.5% stress. A statistically significant association was observed between neighbor behavior and psychological effects, with a p-value of 0.023 (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The majority of respondents experienced depression, anxiety, and stress due to their neighbor's ignorance, social distancing, and avoidance behavior. The psychological effects were significantly associated with neighbor's behaviors and home isolation strategy.