IntroductionWe sought to explore healthcare providers (HCPs)' perceptions of and experiences with stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and Singapore.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study (May 2020–February 2021) with HCPs in Canada and Singapore and developed a semi-structured interview guide rooted in the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (HSDF). We recruited participants online and through word of mouth via newsletters, blogs and social media. Participants were eligible to participate if they worked as a healthcare provider in Singapore or Canada during COVID-19. Following participant consent, data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using a framework approach. Coded data were charted into a framework matrix and used to compare themes in each country.ResultsWe conducted 51 interviews (23 in Canada; 28 in Singapore). HCPs perceived that patient fears coupled with mistrust of the health system impacted health behaviors. HCPs reported discrimination and stigmatization of population subsets. In Singapore, this included Chinese tourists and migrant workers and in Canada, this included people of Chinese ethnicity and people experiencing homelessness. This stigma was often attributed to pre-existing prejudices including perceptions that these populations were at increased risk of COVID-19 or not adhering to public health recommendations. HCPs feared spreading COVID-19 to family, peers and patients, often resulting in participants choosing to isolate from social circles. HCPs in both countries experienced occupation-based stigma, including stigma related to public health practices (masking, testing); in Canada, this intersected with race-based prejudice for participants of Chinese ethnicity. HCPs in both samples witnessed and experienced stigmatizing behavior; some participants also experienced discrimination.ConclusionsSecondary stigma related to occupation was experienced by HCPs during COVID-19. HCPs experienced intersecting stigma based on race/ethnicity and observed stigmatization of marginalized patient populations. Most themes were consistent across Canada and Singapore. Strategies to mitigate COVID-19 related stigma toward HCPs and at-risk patient populations are warranted.

Background: Healthcare workers are at high risk for infection from SARS-CoV-2 due to close contact on the front lines. Regardless of infection, these individuals are prone to impacts to their mental health. Aims of the CITF study: The study aimed to determine the extent of participants that had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and understand the impact of risk factors on participants’ health during the pandemic. It also aimed to evaluate their mental health status and identify workplace practices and community supports that could be improved to increase safety and alleviate stress (Note: mental health data not shared with CITF Databank [1]). Methods: Healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, health care aids, and personal support workers) across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec were recruited into a cohort study via advertisements through professional organizations. Participants completed a screening interview and a baseline questionnaire. Participants who tested positive after their blood sample were placed into a nested cohort study. At follow-up visits every 3 months, blood samples were collected, and exposure questionnaires and mental health assessments were administered. A blood sample was also collected 4 months post-vaccine. Contributed dataset contents: The datasets include 3005 participants who completed baseline questionnaires between April 2020 and November 2020. 87% of participants gave one or more blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 serology between September 2020 and June 2022 (in follow-up visits). Variables include data in the following areas of information: demographics (age, gender, race-ethnicity and indigeneity, province, occupation), general health (smokes; asthma, lung disease, or immune compromised diagnosis; height and weight; flu vaccine), and longitudinal follow-up for COVID infections (dates of positive PCR or RAT tests, hospitalization, outcome and scale for impact of infection on everyday life), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and serology. [1]: Please contact original study team for mental health data

Background: There is a lack of data on the rates of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and risk factors for infection in healthcare workers (HCW), who are at high risk of exposure. This knowledge is important to mitigate risk factors and protect their communities in- and out-side the workplace by improving protective guidelines. Aims of the CITF-funded study: This study aimed to identify risk factors for contracting SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, household, and personal environments to assess the variance in risk due to exposure. The objectives were 1) to determine the incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic infection; 2) study the use and effectiveness of vaccines in HCWs; 3) determine the pattern of immune responses over time via serology; and 4) to measure the mental health impact of working during a pandemic. Methods: This cohort study enrolled full and part-time HCWs between the ages of 18 and 75 in Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec recruited via internal institutional advertisements and social media. A serum or dried blood spot sample was collected at enrolment, 30 days after receipt of each COVID-19 vaccine and each positive PCR or RAT, and every six months thereafter to assess IgG antibody levels. Participants completed questionnaires at enrolment regarding risk factors, vaccinations, past infections. Questionnaires were every 10 weeks to collect exposure data and as needed to collect vaccination and illness information. Contributed dataset contents: The datasets include 2164 participants who completed baseline questionnaires between June 2020 and March 2022. 87% of participants gave one or more blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 serology over this period. Variables include data in the following areas of information: demographics (age, gender, race-ethnicity and indigeneity, province, household, education, occupation), general health (smokes; asthma, lung disease, or other chronic disease diagnosis; height and weight; flu vaccine), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and serology.

Hazards of admission to the Intensive Care Unit among health care workers hospitalized with COVID–19 by immigrant status, region of birth and ethnicity.

Chart review data stratified by healthcare worker vs. non–healthcare worker.

Health care worker chart review data stratified by immigration status.

Health care worker phone survey data stratified by immigration status.

Cycle 17 of the GSS is the first cycle to collect detailed information on social engagement in Canada. Topics include social contact with friends and relatives, unpaid help given and received, volunteering and charitable giving, civic engagement, political engagement, religious participation, trust and reciprocity. The survey gathers information on social networks in the everyday lives of Canadians. Respondents are asked about their frequency of contact with relatives and friends, the quality of this contact (i.e., face-to- face, by phone, or by e-mail/Internet) and the size of their social networks. The distinction made between the number of close relatives, close friends, and other friends is considered important for the analysis of outcomes associated with close/weak ties, and kin/non-kin ties. The module ‘Social Contact – General’ includes questions designed to support the analysis of “bridging” and “bonding.” “Bridging” refers to social ties that exist among different groups of people. “Bonding” refers to social ties that exist within a group, among people who are similar. This section also includes measures of social support and reciprocity. Respondents are asked about unpaid help they have received from relatives, friends, neighbours, and other persons, as well as unpaid help they have given.