Abstract
Background – Stigma is a health crisis, and a barrier to public health and community well-being. Perceived stigma on COVID-19 testing is associated with a lack of knowledge about how COVID-19 spreads, a need to blame someone, fears about the disease and death, and myths about the disease. Stigma can make it difficult to curb the spread of COVID-19. The effects of identified perceived stigma on COVID-19 testing include health risks, delayed healthcare management, harassment and abuse, isolation, discrimination, psychological disorder, loss of social and emotional investment, shattered family bonds and social unity. Study Aim – The study is aimed to assess the effects of identified perceived stigma as a barrier to COVID-19 testing in Wesselton Township Ermelo, Mpumalanga Province.
Methodology –
A quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in the Township of Wesselton, Ermelo in Mpumalanga. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 383 participants, the sample size was calculated using EPI INFO version 27. A non-probability, snowballing sampling technique was applied and stratification was done. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics were computed, and logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the outcome variables and selected socio-demographic factors. Crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were used as indicators of the strength of association and to explain significant associations.
Results –
The findings of the study showed that COVID-19 testing is offered in all facilities with AOR = 2.79, 95% CI (1.53 – 5.06), and people may go to any facility for COVID-19 testing AOR = 2.53 95% CI (1.01 – 6.36), however, participants believed there is no privacy for COVID-19 testing at home and at health facilities, AOR = 0.24, 95% CI (0.11 – 0.53). Participants who showed similar symptoms to COVID-19, and interest in COVID-19 testing refused to test for fear of testing positive and being stigmatized by people who know them and the community AOR = 0.49, 95% CI (0.22 – 1.00). To a very large extent, the thought of COVID-19 testing caused feelings of physical and mental health pressures, and reduced hope and self-esteem causing high-stress levels, AOR = 0.18, 95% CI (0.07 – 0.51). The study also revealed that lack of understanding by the neighbours, friends, relatives, and the community was reported as a barrier to COVID-19 testing AOR = 0.48, 95% CI (0.24 – 0.99). Strategies for increasing
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COVID-19 testing such as advocating for testing, increasing education on COVID-19, providing counselling, and improving COVID-19 testing policies and systems AOR = 3.62, 95% CI (1.56 – 8.39), AOR = 3.03, 95% CI (1.09 – 8.45), AOR = 2.49, 95% CI (1.12 – 5.54) and AOR = 5.87, 95% CI (1.48 -23.37 respectively were significantly more likely to increase testing in the township. The mean score for strategies for increasing COVID-19 testing was 4.49 with a standard deviation of 0.69 indicating high precision and reliability.
Conclusion –
People who are infected and/ or affected with COVID-19 are stigmatized, ridiculed, mocked, and abused. Strategies for increasing COVID-19 testing may significantly more likely reduce stigma and accelerate COVID-19 testing in the community, thus reducing the spread of infection in the Township.
Keywords – Stigma, COVID-19, COVID- 19 testing, personal protective equipment (PPE), flatten the curve, person(s) under investigation (PUIs).