Table 2.

Items of special interest from the questionnaire

Items with the highest experienced stigma:	M
‘I feel others are concerned they could catch my illness.’	2.52
‘I feel guilty because I accidentally might have infected others.’*	2.03
‘I feel others think I am to blame for my illness.’	2.00
‘Due to my illness others seem to feel awkward and tense when they are around me.’	1.97
‘I feel institutions and professionals (health authority, healthcare workers) treated me unfairly.’*	1.81

Items with the lowest experienced stigma:	M
‘I have experienced financial hardship that has affected my relationship with others.’	1.08
‘Some family members have rejected me because of my illness.’	1.11
‘My job security has been affected by my illness.’	1.15

*Additional COVID-19-related questions.