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 Spearman’s 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