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COVID-19 and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Community-Based Online Survey in Hong Kong

Author

Listed:
  • Edmond Pui Hang Choi

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Bryant Pui Hung Hui

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Eric Yuk Fai Wan

    (Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jojo Yan Yan Kwok

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Tiffany Hei Lam Tam

    (LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Chanchan Wu

    (School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic itself and related public health measurements have had substantial impacts on individual social lives and psychological and mental health, all to the detriment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There have been extensive studies investigating the mental health of people in different populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have explored the impact of COVID-19 and its association with HRQoL. To fill this research gap and provide further empirical evidence, this study examined the impact of COVID-19 on Hong Kong people and evaluated its association with HRQoL. A total of 500 participants were randomly recruited to complete an online questionnaire on their concerns related to COVID-19. This entailed responding to the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF instrument. Data were collected between 24 April and 3 May 2020. Independent t-tests and multiple linear regressions were used to examine the association between the impact of COVID-19 and HRQoL. Overall, 69.6% of participants were worried about contracting COVID-19, and 41.4% frequently suspected themselves of being infected. Furthermore, 29.0% were concerned by the lack of disinfectants. All of these findings were associated with poorer HRQoL in the physical and psychological health, social relationships, and environment domains. On the other hand, 47.4% of participants were concerned that they may lose their job because of the pandemic, while 39.4% were bothered by the insufficient supply of surgical masks. These two factors were associated with poorer HRQoL in the physical and psychological health and environment domains. The adverse impact of COVID-19 on individuals is multifactorial, affecting all aspects of HRQoL. In addition to enhancing anti-epidemic efforts, it is equally important to implement public health and social welfare measures, thereby diminishing the adverse impact of COVID-19 on overall well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Edmond Pui Hang Choi & Bryant Pui Hung Hui & Eric Yuk Fai Wan & Jojo Yan Yan Kwok & Tiffany Hei Lam Tam & Chanchan Wu, 2021. "COVID-19 and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Community-Based Online Survey in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3228-:d:521062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manon Duay & Margot Morgiève & Hélène Niculita-Hirzel, 2021. "Sudden Changes and Their Associations with Quality of Life during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study in the French-Speaking Part of Switzerland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Maria Shuk Yu Hung & Liliane Chui King Chan & Sisi Pui Shan Liu, 2022. "The Health Impacts and Life Challenges Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic on Hong Kong Chinese Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, April.

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