IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND EFFECTING FACTORS
AMONG ADULTS WITH LONG COVID: FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS BASED STUDY
Abstract
Background: Long COVID are the uninterpretable symptoms of COVID-19.
However, quality of life and other factors among COVID-19 survivors
remain less clear. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate
impact of COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life and effecting factors
among adults with long COVID. Design and Setting: This cross-sectional
study included 440 individuals applying at family health centers for any
reason. Methods: 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”. Results: Of the
participants, 40.9% were male, 59.1% were female as well as 33.2% had
at least one long COVID symptoms. The median COV19-QoLand 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 quality of life. Specific
rehabilitation services and programmes seems to be urgent need in
overcoming this issue and to improve health. Key Words (MeSH Terms):
Long COVID; COVID-19; quality of life; adults; family health