Chinese infection‐control strategies for COVID‐19 prevention: A qualitative study with confirmed cases

Objective We aimed to describe how the prevention and controlling strategies have been experienced by COVID‐19 patients in China, especially those who had passed through the suspected, diagnosed, hospitalized, and recovery stages of the disease. Design A descriptive qualitative study followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Samples COVID‐19 patients were recruited from a COVID‐19‐designated facility in Shanghai, China, from April to June 2020, by the purposive sampling method. Methods Semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews by cell phone were used and transcriptions were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis method. Results We recruited 26 COVID‐19 patients. Three theme categories emerged from the data analysis. The first was “Consciously adhere to COVID‐19‐related controlling strategies.” The second category was “Positive experiences of the COVID‐19‐related controlling strategies.” These patients experienced a quick and adequate medical response, confident in the medical system, or received help from community workers. The third category was “Negative experiences of the COVID‐19‐related controlling strategies.” These patients experienced psychological distress, stigma, privacy exposures, and inconveniences from the controlling strategies. Conclusions It is urgent to develop a culturally sensitive intervention to eliminate the psychological distress and stigma of patients with COVID‐19 and to protect their privacy during and after the pandemic.