Table 1.

Detail of coding tree

Themes	Experiences of COVID-19-recovered individuals on discrimination and stigma		Efforts to reduce COVID-19-associated discrimination and stigma
Categories	Experience before and after COVID-19 test outcome	Discrimination, avoidance, and eventual acceptance	Community efforts to reduce stigma	Community appreciation of government awareness to reduce COVID-19 stigma	Role of media to reduce social stigma during COVID-19
Codes	nitial reaction-fear, worry, shock, devastation, and panic. Mandatory admission to the health facility. Mistook initial symptoms for common flu. Tried self-treatment.	Assistance in meeting their basic daily needs Discrimination and avoidance from their neighbors. Family and relatives: the pillar of support and solace. Loss of employment. No discrimination was experienced by rural participants. Societal support-applauding and congratulating post-COVID recovery. Untouchability.	Fear of COVID-19 infection. Mixed feelings about COVID-19-infected or recovered people. Non-social behavior. Societal and public support-pillar of help in reducing stigma. Stigma and fear go hand in hand. Treated COVID-positive patients as “criminals.”	Credible sources of information on social media Moral support- Municipality and panchayats Multi-sectoral team approach. Self-less service by healthcare providers, sanitation workers, and police officers struggled to meet basic needs.	Information, education, and communication – beneficial in reducing stigma. Media – an instrument of community integration and health promotion. Media useful in disseminating safety precautions. Report the true picture of the disease.