Psychological response of healthcare workers and stigma experienced during early COVID-19 pandemic period in Kerala

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic the healthcare workers are most valuable resource for every country. They are going through a tough time exposing themselves at risk while working at hospitals and clinics. Along with the concerns for their own personal safety, they are anxious about passing the infection to their families. Health-care workers who care for elderly parents or young children will be drastically affected by school closures, social distancing policies, reverse quarantine needs and disruption in the transport facilities, food and other essentials. This study aimed to identify the psychological response of Healthcare workers and stigma experienced during initial phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Kerala. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among doctors, nurses and other paramedical hospital staff in Kerala during May-June 2020. About 605 healthcare providers from different districts participated in the study by filling an online semi structured, self-administered questionnaire in Google forms. Data were analyzed by SPSS18 software, using descriptive statistics and chi square test used as test of significance.