Stigma experienced by men diagnosed with COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the stigma characteristics perceived in the experience of men who had COVID-19. Method: this qualitative study involved men living in Brazil, diagnosed with COVID-19, who answered semi-structured questions in an online form. Data were subjected to thematic and lexical analysis, interpreted in the light of the stigma theory. Results: 92 men, adults, cisgender, heterosexual, of mixed race/color, belonging to middle class, living in the urban area, with higher education participated. The stigma characteristics evidenced were the occurrence of leave, perception of impolite treatment, use of labels and discrimination by co-workers, family members, neighbors and even healthcare professionals, with consequences for the psycho-emotional dimension. Final considerations: discrimination and exclusion derived from stigma surprised men marked by class and gender privileges, little used to being downgraded in interactions when compared to other groups.