Health and well-being of the Portuguese citizens: impacts of the COVID-19

Abstract

Background COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on societies and healthcare systems around the world. Over the last years, measures imposed in almost all countries dealing with the pandemic sent the entire world into an extensive crisis and thus into a deep global recession. Since the outbreak began, many European countries have faced three/four waves of pandemic. Portugal has mainly dealt with three waves (March/April’2020; October/November’2020; January/February’2021), the third being the deadliest one. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 on health-related quality of life (HRQol) and well-being (W-B) of Portuguese citizens. It aims to (i) characterize these outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) compare them to pre-COVID-19 Portuguese population; and (iii) identify the social determinants that may affect these outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study used data from a survey that collected data on HRQoL, W-B, satisfaction with life, economic and labour impacts, access to healthcare, mental and physical health, amongst others. The survey was implemented by telephone to a representative random sample of 1,255 respondents from the general adult Portuguese population, stratified by sex, age group and region. Data was collected during the end of the second national lockdown. For comparison purposes, we have also used two other representative databases from the general Portuguese population: (i) data from before the pandemic (n = 1,006); and (ii) data from a survey conducted during the first lockdown, (n = 904). Results Looking at health and access to healthcare, 4% of citizens had their surgeries postponed or cancelled because of COVID-19, more than a quarter had medical appointments or complementary exams postponed or cancelled, with 7% over 65 years old with surgeries cancelled or postponed and 32% medical appointments. COVID-19 pandemic also impacted negatively on the HRQoL of citizens, especially in the first lockdown. Half of the respondents reported feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge, about 45% of citizens felt sad or depressed. Sleeping problems were reported for almost 39% of citizens, and loneliness is reported by 29% of citizens. For about 70–85% of citizens, these feelings were more so than before the pandemic. Citizens with fair/strong economic stability were the most economically affected by the pandemic. Conclusions We provided evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on health and W-B of Portuguese citizens. Their health was worse than before the pandemic and the access to healthcare was highly affected.

Is a tiered restrictions system an effective intervention for COVID-19 control? Results from Portugal, November-December 2020

“…Lockdowns started to be implemented worldwide to mainly contain deaths and prevent healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed and thus hampered from helping those in need [ 3 ]. However, this approach had profound consequences on people’s lives [ 4 , 5 ], namely negative social and economic impacts [ 4 – 6 ]. A study compared the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Portuguese citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic to pre-COVID-19 (data between November 2015 and January 2016) and found that HRQoL decreased during the pandemic [ 4 ].…”

“…However, this approach had profound consequences on people’s lives [ 4 , 5 ], namely negative social and economic impacts [ 4 – 6 ]. A study compared the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Portuguese citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic to pre-COVID-19 (data between November 2015 and January 2016) and found that HRQoL decreased during the pandemic [ 4 ]. Furthermore, not only HRQoL but also cancellation or postponement of medical appointments differed between sex, age groups and economic levels [ 4 ] Rearrangements related to household configuration also happened as a way to cope with restrictions, namely young adults moving to their parents’ house [ 5 ].…”

“…A study compared the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Portuguese citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic to pre-COVID-19 (data between November 2015 and January 2016) and found that HRQoL decreased during the pandemic [ 4 ]. Furthermore, not only HRQoL but also cancellation or postponement of medical appointments differed between sex, age groups and economic levels [ 4 ] Rearrangements related to household configuration also happened as a way to cope with restrictions, namely young adults moving to their parents’ house [ 5 ]. In Portugal, it was estimated that, during the first lockdown, the poverty rate increased by 4%, and without the government mitigating policies, it would have increased by 20% [ 6 ].…”