Background: Stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced abrupt changes to daily routines and lifestyles. This study assessed changes in mental health and social activity during the confinement period, in response to the global pandemic.Methods: This study was a face-to-face interview survey targeting adults in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The questionnaire was distributed from October 2021 to February 2022, and collected information on mental well-being, mood, and social activity participation. All questions were presented as "before" and "during" the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: In total, 407 adult participants have included: 207 females and 200 males. Overall, during the pandemic, mental well-being score was reduced by 13.4% (particularly for the employed), and social participation by 11.1% (particularly for the older age group). Around the same time, the bad mood and feelings score increased by 51.3%. These changes are expected and have been reporworldwidewide. Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic produced significant negative lifestyle effects well beyond the virus itself, and confining people has led to a decline in mental health and social activities. People need support to counteract the effects of confinement on mental well-being, e.g., by providing basic life needs and enhancing at-home communication and physical activity.
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