Experiences of COVID-19 Recovered Patients – A Qualitative Case Study from a Hotspot in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background COVID-19 is highly contagious and can have fatal outcomes in the elderly and those with comorbidities. Social distancing is highly recommended by the World Health Organization to prevent the spread of the disease. However, it is difficult to maintain social distancing in highly populated areas where people live in close proximity. Such high-risk areas have the potential to become hotspots for the disease spread, should one person therein contract the disease. Nakkasah is one such area in the Makkah city of Saudi Arabia which has been a hotspot in this pandemic. This study aims to qualitatively explore the experiences of COVID-19 recovered patients residing in this area. Methods We employed semi-structured face-to-face interviews with people living in Nakkasah, above 18 years of age, and recovered from COVID-19. An interview guide was developed, validated, piloted, and minor changes were made. Two trained students conducted the interviews in the Arabic language in a semi-private area of the community center. The interviews were audio-recorded, with informed consent from interviewees, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed later. Results Eleven eligible COVID-19 recovered people (two female and nine male) agreed to be interviewed, and their verbal informed consent was audio recorded. The mean interview time was 24 minutes. Thematic analysis generated 30 subthemes, which were categorized into seven overarching themes: information about COVID-19; life during COVID-19 illness; spreading of COVID-19; precautionary measures; interventions that helped in recovery; impact of COVID-19 on life; support received during COVID-19 illness. Conclusion Experiences of people from the hotspot who had recovered from COVID-19 highlighted how life had been like in the hotspot under lockdown especially with having been afflicted with the infection, factors that facilitated their recovery, and the way their lives were and have been affected due to COVID-19.