A qualitative analysis of perceptions of and reactions to COVID-19. Public Health Nurs 2022 Jul;39(4):719-727
Date
02/06/2022Pubmed ID
35122660Pubmed Central ID
PMC9115521DOI
10.1111/phn.13052Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85124461152 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To understand communities' perceptions, beliefs, and health-related behavior choices related to COVID-19 in order to guide public health nursing communication and interaction with patients and the community.
DESIGN: A qualitative study, guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), strove to comprehend the perceptions and reactions to COVID-19 among Wisconsinites.
SAMPLE: Twenty-five diverse Wisconsin residents aged 18 or older.
MEASUREMENTS: Semi-structured interviews provided information about individuals' attitudes, perceptions, and reactions to COVID-19. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes.
RESULTS: We identified three major themes: (1) "health care starts way before you ever enter the doors of a healthcare facility"; (2) "to live in a society is to help each other"; and (3) mental health as impacted by COVID-19.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the need for greater public health support, as well as the role of Social Determinants of Health. Understanding perceptions and reactions to COVID-19 can help public health nurses understand and better respond to future pandemics.
Author List
Hawkins MM, Lopez AA, Schmitt ME, Tamkin VL, Dressel AE, Kako P, Mkandawire-Valhmu L, Weinhardt LSAuthors
Alexa Anderson PhD Associate Professor in the Nursing department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeLance S. Weinhardt MS,PhD Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Community and Behavioral Health Promotion in the Joseph. J. Zilber School of Public Health department at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
HumansMental Health
Pandemics
Public Health
Qualitative Research
