Effect of stigma on COVID-19 cases management at the treatment unit of the Yaounde Central Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus pandemic coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has affected the whole world, causing the lives of many victims. Africa has recorded more than a million cases and Cameroon around 18,600 cases (August 2020) since the first case was notified. The rapid spread of this disease (among other factors) could have contributed to creating a situation of fear and stigma among affected populations. It is, therefore, necessary to identify the characteristics of this stigma and its effect on the case management of this disease. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study with positive COVID-19 people at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon, from May 2020 to June 2020. A questionnaire adapted from the stigma index of persons living with human immunodeficiency virus and from the SAPHORA-MCO 2009 guide was administered to participants. Results: Among 138 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection during the study, 134 (97%) accepted the study, 115 (85.8%) reported auto-stigmatisation, 29 (22%) indicated having been stigmatised by the community and 20 (15%) by medical personnel. Auto-stigmatisation increased the risk of seeking care late (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4 with a confidence interval [CI] of 0.99–11.5; P = 0.049), unlike stigma by the community, which tended to result in early care seeking, but not significantly (OR = 0.6 with a CI of 0.26–1.66; P = 0.479). Conclusion: Stigma is highly prevalent among patients affected by COVID-19. Action should be taken to address stigma to increase the overall adherence to disease control strategies.