Table 1. Code Book of the Original and Emerging Themes .

Conceptual Theme	Description	Initial Themes	Emerging Themes	No. of Times Mentioned
Stigmatization	Social disapproval of a person by virtue of their infection	Prejudices Stereotyping Undermining status	Labelling Stigma against family/relatives	39
Discrimination	Unjust or unfair treatment against an infected person	Unfair treatment at work and community	Mistreatment by family Discrimination in access and use of public facilities	31
Social exclusion	Avoidance or rejection of an infected person within the social environment	Social avoidance Barriers to social adjustment	Adverse social behaviors Narrow social spaces	21
Infection history	Participants’ recount of how they got infected with the COVID-19	Source of infection Adherence to protocol at the time of infection		41
Reaction to test outcome	Response after receiving positive test results	Psychosocial responses Emotional response	Suicidal intention Fear Traumatize Dejection	33
Sequels of the adverse experiences	Consequences of experiencing stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion	Psychosocial disorder Anxiety disorder Distress	Demoralized Feeling worthless Loneliness Frustration Withdrawal from friends Confusion	39
Coping strategy	Mechanisms of managing stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and their sequela	Looking up to God with prayers Relying on family and relatives	Believing in self Societal/organizational support Avoiding social relations Aggressive behavior	36

Abbreviation: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.