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Published on: November 10, 2023
Fear of the Unknown: Pandemic Concerns Among Non-hospitalized COVID-19 Infected or Quarantined Norwegian Adults
Malene Svaland1, Anja Maria Brænd2, Silje Rebekka Heltveit-Olsen3
1Faculty of Medicine, https://ror.org/01xtthb56University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Objective:
We aimed to explore concerns and feeling of safety among quarantined and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Methods:
We conducted a qualitative study of free text answers from participants of an online survey. The survey was conducted between March 2020 and June 2021. COVID-19 positive adults in home isolation and adults in quarantine were eligible for participation. 698 participants answered one or more of three open-ended questions about concerns and safety. We analyzed free-text answers using thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke with an inductive approach.
Results:
Analysis of the free-text answers from all participants identified three main themes: (1) Fear of the unknown, (2) Views on personal care and public health measures, and (3) Concern for the future of a country in crisis. Participants' feelings revolved around health-related concerns and societal related concerns. They were concerned about their own and other's health, and possible long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection. Some participants were satisfied with the health care system, others thought follow-ups, testing, vaccination, and information would increase their feeling of safety.
Conclusions:
People quarantined and isolated due to the COVID-19 pandemic had concerns regarding personal health and societal consequences of infection control measures. Health care follow-ups and individualized information would increase participants' feeling of safety.
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