Assessment of Perceptions Regarding Societal Behavior Towards COVID-19 Positive Health Care Workers and their Families

Abstract

In the currently ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, most susceptible group at risk of mental health problem is Health Care Workers (HCWs). The aim of this study is to assess the COVID 19 positive HCW’s perception to societal behavior towards them and their family. This descriptive study was conducted on COVID 19 positive HCWs in a Dedicated COVID Facility of Western Maharashtra during February 2021 to May 2021. After explaining the purpose of study, prospective participants were assured for anonymity and confidentiality of data and their informed consent were taken. Data were collected by using online questionnaire formed on Google forms. There was a total of 151 respondents. The mean age of male and female HCWs were 33.85 +/- 9.25 years and 33.87 +/- 9.19 years respectively. A significantly higher proportion (p=0.0007) of female respondents felt hurt by people's behavior after becoming COVID-19 positive. A significantly large proportion of females (p=0.0004) agreed that COVID 19 will affect our society for long duration. Workplace exposure, risk of getting infected and transmitting the infection to family members and friends and poor acceptance to COVID 19 positive status in society has all contributed to affecting the physical, mental and psychosocial status of the HCWs in this COVID 19 Pandemic. By increasing awareness in society and recognizing the concerns with efforts to support, facilitate, and protect HCWs, will certainly improve the current situation.