Abstract: Some words (e.g., suspect case, isolation...) and languages used in discussions about COVID-19 might have a
undesirable connotation for certain people, stimulating stigmatizing attitudes. COVID-19 social stigma can erode social
cohesion and lead to older adults' social isolation. It has the potential to deter older individuals from seeking medical help
right away and from adopting healthy habits. Aim: Determine the relationship between COVID-19 associated social stigma
and health seeking behaviors among older adults. Design: the study followed a descriptive correlational research design.
Setting: Farouk hospital outpatient clinics, affiliated to the Ministry of Health, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt. Subjects:
Convenience sample of 170 older adults were recruited. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection: 1) Older adults'
socio-demographic and health profile structured interview schedule, 2) COVID-19 associated social stigma among older
adults structured interview schedule 3) Older adults' health seeking behaviors structured interview schedule. Results: the
present study result revealed that the study subjects reported slightly low mean percent score of total COVID-19 associated
social stigma, 45.77 ±15.86 with the highest mean percent score of stigmatized attitude towards treatment of COVID-19,
55.40 ±14.23. At the same time, the study subjects reported considerable high mean percent score of total health seeking
behaviors, 71.73 ±9.22. Conclusion: Despite the present study revealed no statistically significant correlation between
total mean percent score of COVID-19 associated social stigma and total mean percent score of health seeking behaviors
among older adults, social stigma specifically related to the treatment of COVID-19 was negatively correlated with health
seeking behaviors. On the other hand, a significant positive correlation was found between social stigma toward COVID-
19 patient and health seeking behaviors. Recommendations: Gerontological nurses should assist older adults in
understanding the COVID-19 disease and taking effective and practical steps to protect themselves by seeking medical
help. Gerontological nurses should also speak out against negative stereotypes and disseminate accurate information about
the disease from credible, official sources.