IMPACT OF PANDEMIC ON COVID-19 QUALITY OF LIFE AND EFFECTING FACTORS
AMONG ADULTS WITH LONG COVID: FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS BASED STUDY
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate impact of pandemic on COVD-19
quality of life and effecting factors among adults wıth long COVID.
Methods: The study included 440 individuals applying at family health
centers for any reason. Participants were asked to complete a survey
after their written consent was received. The survey consisted of two
parts: the first related to socio-demographic information; the second
including “COVID-19 Quality of Life Scale” and the “Perception Health
Scale” . Mean, median, Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests and
Sperman Correlation analysis were used in analysis. Results: Of the
participants, 40.9% were male, 59.1% were female as well as 33.2% had
at least one long COVID symptoms, 44.5% were reported that symptoms
continued for 1-3 months. In addition, the median age was 41 years, the
body mass index was 24.6 kg/m2. The median time since first infected was
7 month. The median COV19-QoL and Perception of Health Scale scores were
3.0 and 40.0 respectively. Among the prolonged COVID symptoms,
fatigue/tiredness was shown with 53.2%. Other common symptoms were
muscle pain (27.1%), headache/dizziness (24.1%), difficulty thinking
or concentrating (20.9%), difficulty in breathing and heart palpitation
(20.0%). The COV19-QoL median score significantly differed by education
level, existing chronic conditions, COVID-19 treatment type, number of
experienced long COVID symptoms and continuation of the symptoms
p<0.05. There was significant correlation between COV19-QoL
and age, time since first infected and perceived health score
(p<0.05) . Conclusion: Aging, low education, existing chronic
conditions, hospitalization, number of long symptoms, continuation of
symptoms, and perception of health were risky factors for impact of the
pandemic on COVID-19 quality of life. Specific rehabilitation services
and programmes seems to be urgent need in overcoming this issue and to
improve health. Key words: Long COVID, COVID-19, quality of life,
adults, family health