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 - MilwaukeeMarin Schmitt PhD Postdoctoral Researcher in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Lance 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