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. 2021 Apr;75(4):e13899.
doi: 10.1111/ijcp.13899. Epub 2020 Dec 18.

Fear of COVID-19 and stigmatization towards infected people among Jordanian people

Sawsan Abuhammad  1 , Karem H Alzoubi  2 , Omar Khabour  3
Affiliations

Fear of COVID-19 and stigmatization towards infected people among Jordanian people

Sawsan Abuhammad et al. Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to explore the prevalence rates of stigma and fear among people in Jordan during COVID-19 pandemic and to assess socio-demographic and personal factors contributing to the prevalence rates of fear and stigma among people in Jordan during COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: Cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized to attain the study aim. An anonymous online survey targeting people of Jordan was used and distributed to adults in Arabic language. The survey included a previously validated fear scale. Stigma was measured using developed instrument by authors.

Results: The prevalence of fear among study participants was 52%. In addition, the prevalence of stigma towards infected people and their contact was 64%. The predictors of stigma towards infected people with COVID-19 and their contact were income, living area and downloaded application to trace COVID-19 cases. Moreover the predictors of fear were income living area and downloaded application to trace COVID-19 cases (P ≤ .001).

Conclusion: More than 50% of the respondents were afraid from COVID-19 and 64% had stigma towards infected people and their contact during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study highlights the need for an intervention that provides psychological support to citizens during the pandemic.

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