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. 2021 Nov;21(4):525-531.
doi: 10.18295/squmj.4.2021.044. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Stigmatisation of COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Fatmah Almoayad  1 , Samira Mahboub  1 , Lujain Bin Amer  2 , Alaa Alrabiah  1 , Anwar Alhashem  1
Affiliations

Stigmatisation of COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Fatmah Almoayad et al. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: Infectious diseases are the most common cause of disease stigmatisation, which can lead to a denial of healthcare, education, housing and employment as well as physical violence. Such stigmatisation is common during pandemics. This study aimed to examine the social stigmatisation of COVID-19 among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Riyadh in May 2020. Non-probability convenient sampling was used to recruit 847 participants through social media platforms, including WhatsApp. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the chi-squared test were used along with a multiple linear regression model.

Results: There was a high level of stigma among 21% of the participants and an intermediate level in almost 49% of the participants. Low stigma was indicated among 30% of the study's sample. A highly significant association existed between stigma, on the one hand, and older age groups, being married and lower levels of education, on the other.

Conclusion: Future awareness programmes should educate patients and their families about stigma as well as the consequences of stigmatising COVID-19. Stigma eradication policies and interventions should be implemented to avoid potentially harmful consequences for public health.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Saudi Arabia; Social stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of the responses of residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to statements regarding COVID-19 stigmatisation (N = 847).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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