Introduction: Outbreaks of infectious disease are also marked by sociocultural unrest, and
a general atmosphere of fear and mistrust. On 30 January 2020, a COVID-19 (Coronavirus
disease 2019) epidemic was declared an international public health emergency, this outbreak
provoked a negative association, social stigma and a discriminatory behavior against people
of certain ethnic foundations as well as anybody seen to have been in contact with the
infection. Aim of the study: The goal of this study is to concentrate on the relationships
between stigma evoked during the COVID-19 pandemic, breaking the privacy and
confidentiality of infected individuals and job affection, social harm, seeking health assistance
and also promoting awareness of these issues among Egyptians. Subjects and Methods: A
comparative cross-sectional study questionnaire on a random sample of 500 respondents (250
for each) conducted at Benha city and Assiut city, Egypt. Results: Respondents to the
questionnaire revealed that 60.0% of Upper Egypt preferred to home quarantine while
(53.2%) of Lower Egypt preferred hospital quarantine. Most respondents from both Upper
and Lower Egypt agreed to do COVID-19 PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test. In addition,
respondents in Upper and Lower Egypt declined to publish their names because participants
in Upper Egypt related their refuse due to affection on their social lives while participants in
Lower Egypt refused to publish their names because of a violation of their privacy.
Conclusions: COVID-19 infection pandemic has a negative effect on the ethical issues as
confidentiality breakdown of patients, emergence of stigma, economic and social
implications. |
