@article{ref1,
title="Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and well-being of communities: an exploratory qualitative study protocol",
journal="BMJ open",
year="2020",
author="Shahil Feroz, Anam and Akber Ali, Naureen and Akber Ali, Noshaba and Feroz, Ridah and Nazim Meghani, Salima and Saleem, Sarah",
volume="10",
number="12",
pages="e041641-e041641",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly resulted in an increased level of anxiety and fear in communities in terms of disease management and infection spread. Due to fear and social stigma linked with COVID-19, many individuals in the  community hide their disease and do not access healthcare facilities in a timely  manner. In addition, with the widespread use of social media, rumours, myths and  inaccurate information about the virus are spreading rapidly, leading to intensified  irritability, fearfulness, insomnia, oppositional behaviours and somatic complaints. Considering the relevance of all these factors, we aim to explore the perceptions  and attitudes of community members towards COVID-19 and its impact on their daily  lives and mental well-being. <br><br>METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This formative research will  employ an exploratory qualitative research design using semistructured interviews  and a purposive sampling approach. The data collection methods for this formative  research will include indepth interviews with community members. The study will be  conducted in the Karimabad Federal B Area and in the Garden (East and West)  community settings in Karachi, Pakistan. The community members of these areas have  been selected purposively for the interview. Study data will be analysed  thematically using NVivo V.12 Plus software. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical  approval for this study has been obtained from the Aga Khan University Ethical  Review Committee (2020-4825-10599). The results of the study will be disseminated to  the scientific community and to the research subjects participating in the study. The findings will help us explore the perceptions and attitudes of different  community members towards the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on their daily lives  and mental well-being.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2044-6055",
doi="10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041641",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041641"
}