A Study to Assess the Social Stigma among Nursing Officers working in Covid-19 Wards in selected Hospitals at Puducherry

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Sudden onset of COVID-19 pandemic situation which brings many changes in each and every individuals life. Likewise in our healthcare setting also. This pandemic leads to death of many peoples. Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) works 24 X 7 in emergency, In-patient and out-patient areas. There was increased fear among public which leads to discrimination of Health care professionals who works in COVID-19 wards and their family due to misinformation in social medias. Because of this discrimination HCPs undergoes stress and depressions. A Descriptive Study was conducted to assess social stigma among Nursing Officers working covid-19 ward in selected hospitals, Puducherry. The Objectives of the Study were, to assess the level of social stigma faced by Nursing Officers working in COVID-19 wards, to assess the nurse's attitude towards social stigma. to correlate the level of stigma with the level of attitude of the Nursing Officers. Methodology: A quantitative research approach with descriptive research design was adopted in this study. The study was conducted in selected hospitals at Puducherry among Nursing Officers working in covid-19 wards. Quantitative research approach and descriptive survey research design was adopted by using snowball sampling technique (Google form) for the study to select 50 samples from selected hospitals at Puducherry. Once received the concern from the participants after explaining the purpose of study, data were collected by using self-structured questionnaire which comprised of demographic variables and questionnaire to assess the level of social stigma and self-structured attitude scale was given to the participants. The data was analyzed by using frequency distribution and percentage, correlation and chi-square test. Result: Research findings revealed that 20% of Nursing Officers mildly faced social stigma, 64% of Nursing Officers moderately faced social stigma, 16% of Nursing Officers severely faced social stigma. The findings show that Positive attitude showed by the Nursing Officers facing social stigma was 24%, Neutral attitude showed by the Nursing Officers facing social stigma was 42% and Negative attitude showed by them was 34%. There was a moderately negative correlation coefficient r = -0.44 ( -1< r <1) between attitude and social stigma faced by the Nursing Officers. Conclusion: The study result shows that the level of social stigma among the Nursing Officers working in COVID-19 wards in Puducherry is at the moderate level and shown neutral attitude during stigma.