Combating Stigmatization and Social Discrimination Phenomena Arising from Covid-19 Pandemic Health Responses in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijhmnp.421Keywords:
Stigmatization, Social Discrimination, COVID-19 Pandemic, Combating Strategies and NigeriaAbstract
Purpose: This paper attempted to x-ray the incidence of COVID-19 global pandemic and the resulting unfortunate stigmatization and social discrimination experiences which people with the pandemic are going through. The paper as a as a theoretical paper examined the effects of the instances of stigmatization arising from fear, misinformation, lack of adequate information and the corresponding social tension. Some of the discriminatory behaviours that accompany such fear, as they damage not only the socio-cultural fabric in the long-run, but also compromise present efforts to contain the disease were discussed.
Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Findings: from the paper revealed that everyone is capable of helping to stop stigma related to COVID-19 through assisting oneself and others to cope with the stress associated with the pandemic in order to make the community stronger. Attempt was therefore made to highlight some strategies that could be considered and explored by different stakeholders such as the government, media, community, the individuals and research institutes towards mitigating the effects of stigmatization and social discrimination created by the global pandemic called COVID-19. It concluded that we all have a responsibility to help correct the misconceptions through policy shift and interventions that can promote less chances of stigmatization in case of any pandemic.
Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: Members of any community experiencing COVID-19 cases must be ready to maintain privacy and confidentiality of people with such cases so that they will not be unnecessarily exposed to instances of stigmatization and discrimination. Timely public health interventions capable of addressing cultural impact and the risk of stigmatization along with proper screening, treatment and follow up will reduce any anticipated spike in the spread and resultantly bring down the chances of stigmatization and discrimination. Health workers would need to be more conscious of the names of diseases and using of words and phrases such as "epidemic", "the epicenter of the disease". The media personnel equally need to be cautious about the images that are shared by making sure that they do not reinforce stereotypes. They must be very careful in their choices of awareness materials. Scholars would need to be encouraged to get involved in action researches that can promote the development of vaccines and drugs that can help reduce the menace of COVID-19 which is currently characterized by deaths and numerous instances of stigmatization and discrimination
Downloads
References
Brooks et.al., (2020). The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. Lancet 395, 912-920
Centers for Disease Control (2020). Navigation and Reducing Stigma www.cdc.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Coronavirus update.
Chen J., & Courtwright, A. (2016). Stigmatization. In: Have H. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics. Springer, Cham
Chowdhury, R. & Heng, K. (2020). Dynamic interventions to control COVID-19 pandemic: A multivariate prediction modeling study comparing 16 worldwide countries. European Journal of Epidemiology 35 359-399
Definitions.net (2020). Social stigma. https://www.definitions.net/definition/social+stigma
Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, (2020). Stigma HealthWay, Mental Health Commission
Ellemers, N. & Jetten, J. (2013). The many ways to be marginal in a group.
Essays, UK. (November 2018). The types and definitions of stigma. https://www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/the-types-and-definitions-of-stigma-philosophy-essay.php?vref=1
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2020). Novel Coronavirus.
European Union for Fundamental Human Rights (February 20, 2020). Bulletin No.1 Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
Frost, D. M. (2011). Social stigma and its consequences for the socially stigmatized. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5(11), 824-839. DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011. 00394.x pp2-38 TIGMA
Goffman E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. rentice"Hall
Government of Western Australia, (2009). Stigma, discrimination and mental illness.Dept of Health.
Greenaway, K. H., Jetten, J., Ellemers, N. & van Bunderen, L. (2015). The dark side of inclusion: undesired acceptance increases aggression. Group Process. Intergroup Relation. 18, 173-189
He, J., He, L., Zhou, W., Nie, X., & He, M., (2020). Discrimination and social exclusion in the outbreak of COVID-19. International Journal of Environ. Res.& Public Health. www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph pp2-4.
Helliwell, J. F. & Huang, H. (2013). Comparing the happiness effects of real and on-line friends. PLoS One 8, e72754: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirs-china/questions-answers
Marlink, R. (2020). Rutgers expert available to discuss Impacts of stigma on COVID-19 Pandemic. Newswise www.rutgersuniversity.com
Ngubane, S., Matambo, R., & Nkosi, S. (2020). COVID-19 in-depth analysis: COVID-19 and stigmatisation and discrimination. ACCORD
Nyblade, L., & Mac Quarrie, K. (2007). Can we measure HIV/AIDS-Related stigma and discrimination? Current Knowledge about quantifying stigma in developing countries; USAID: Washington, DC, USA, 2006. medical professionals. Int. Journal of Epidemiology, 36, 185-186.
Owen, L. (2020). Five ways the coronavirus is hitting women in Asia. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51705199 Pers. Soc. Psychol. Rev. 17, 3-21
Phelan, J.; Link, B.G.; Dovidio J.F. Stigma and prejudice: One animal or two? Soc. Sci. Med. 2008, 67, 358-67.
Ramaci, T., Barattucci, M., Ledda, C., & Rapisarda, V. (2020). Social stigma during COVID-19 and its impact on HCWs outcomes. Sustainability. 12. 13. 10.3390/su12093834.
UNICEF (2020). COVID-19: Your voices against stigma and discrimination
USAID (2020). Stigma and discrimination. Retrieved 23rd May, 2020 from http://www.healthpolicyproject.com/index.cfm?id
Wagner et.al. (2014). Health care provider attitudes and beliefs about people living with HIV: Initial validation of the health care provider. AIDS Behaviour 18, 2397-2408.
World Health Organisation (2019). Coronavirus COVID-19: Situation report -180 www.who.int
World Health Organization. (2015). WHO issues best practices for naming new human infectious diseases. https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2015/naming-new-diseases/en/
World Health Organization. (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 www.unicef.org/coronavirus
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
