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. 2022 Jul 25;19(15):9060.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159060.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Socio-Demographic and Behavioural Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Estonia

Merili Tamson  1   2 , Rainer Reile  1   3   4 , Diana Sokurova  1 , Kaire Innos  1   3 , Eha Nurk  1 , Kaia Laidra  1 , Sigrid Vorobjov  1   3
Affiliations

Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Socio-Demographic and Behavioural Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Estonia

Merili Tamson et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among the Estonian general population and its socio-demographic and behavioural correlates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Longitudinal data on 1781 individuals from an Estonian rapid-assessment survey on COVID-19 were used. HRQoL was assessed with the EQ-5D-3L in June 2020 (baseline) and in May 2021 (follow-up). The HRQoL index score and its socio-demographic and behavioural variations were analysed using paired t-tests and Tobit regression modelling. Statistically significant declines in mean EQ-5D index scores were observed for all socio-demographic and behavioural variables considered. Most of these changes were due to increased reporting of problems in the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression health domains. Older age, being unemployed or economically non-active and having financial difficulties were significantly associated with lower HRQoL in both baseline and follow-up measurements. In the follow-up data, women had significantly lower HRQoL compared to men, whereas higher education proved to be the only protective factor regarding HRQoL. Unhealthy dietary habits and low physical activity had a negative impact on the HRQoL score in the follow-up data. These results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on HRQoL in the Estonian population.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; EQ-5D; Estonia; health behaviour; health-related quality of life; inequalities.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Survey periods and 14-day average incidence rates for COVID-19 in Estonia, 2020–2021 [24]. 1 HRQoL baseline measuring; 2 HRQoL follow-up measuring.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportion (%) with 95% confidence intervals of reported problems by EQ-5D domains at baseline and follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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