The Experience of Quarantine for Individuals Affected by SARS in Toronto

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of home quarantine during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Toronto in 2003. Design: Qualitative descriptive design. Sample: Stratified random sampling techniques were used to generate a list of potential parti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public health Nursing 2005-09, Vol.22 (5), p.398-406
Main Authors: Cava, Maureen A., Fay, Krissa E., Beanlands, Heather J., McCay, Elizabeth A., Wignall, Rouleen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Disease Outbreaks
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Nursing
Ontario - epidemiology
Policy Making
public health policy
Public Health Practice
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Qualitative Research
quarantine
Quarantine - psychology
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
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Summary:Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of home quarantine during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Toronto in 2003. Design: Qualitative descriptive design. Sample: Stratified random sampling techniques were used to generate a list of potential participants, who varied in terms of gender and closeness of exposure to someone with suspected SARS (contact level). Twenty‐one individuals participated in the study. Measurements: All interviews were audiotaped and followed a semistructured interview guide. Participants were invited to describe their experience of quarantine in detail including their advice for Public Health. Results: The experience followed a trajectory of stages beginning before quarantine and ending after quarantine. Despite individual differences, common themes of uncertainty, isolation, and coping intersected the data. Conclusions: Public Health has a dual role of monitoring compliance and providing support to people in quarantine. This study has implications for public health policy and practice in planning for future public health emergencies in terms of the information and the resources required to mount an effective response.
ISSN:0737-1209
1525-1446
DOI:10.1111/j.0737-1209.2005.220504.x