Health-related quality of life of the Vietnamese during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mai Quynh Vu,Thao Thi Phuong Tran,Long Quynh Khuong,Thao Anh Hoang,Minh Van Hoang,Olanrewaju Oladimeji

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0244170

Mai Quynh Vu, Thao Thi Phuong Tran + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244170

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Dec 18, 2020
Citations: 24	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Hanoi University, Hanoi School Of Public Health

Abstract

Vietnam applied strict quarantine measures to mitigate the rapid transmission of the SARS-COV-2 virus. Central questions were how the COVID-19 pandemic affected health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the Vietnamese general population, and whether there is any difference in HRQOL among people under different quarantine conditions. This cross-sectional study was conducted during 1 April- 30 May 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak in Vietnam. Data was collected via an online survey using Google survey tool. A convenient sampling approach was employed, with participants being sorted into three groups: people who were in government quarantine facilities; people who were under self-isolation at their own place; and the general population who did not need enforced quarantine. The Vietnamese EQ-5D-5L instrument was used to measure HRQOL. Differences in HRQOL among people of isolation groups and their socio-demographic characteristics were statistically tested. A final sample was made of 406 people, including 10 persons from government quarantine facilities, 57 persons under self-isolation at private places, and the rest were the general population. The mean EQ-VAS was reported the highest at 90.5 (SD: 7.98) among people in government quarantine facilities, followed by 88.54 (SD: 12.24) among general population and 86.54 (SD 13.69) among people in self-isolation group. The EQ-5D-5L value was reported the highest among general population at 0.95 (SD: 0.07), followed by 0.94 (SD: 0.12) among people in government quarantine facilities, and 0.93 (SD: 0.13) among people who did self-isolation. Overall, most people, at any level, reported having problems with anxiety and/or depression in all groups. While there have been some worries and debates on implementing strict quarantine measures can hinder people's quality of life, Vietnam showed an opposite tendency in people's HRQOL even under the highest level of enforcement in the prevention and control of COVID-19.

Highlights

The COVID-19 outbreak, being declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), has resulted in many crises on all aspects of the world [1]
A convenient sampling approach was employed, with participants being sorted into three groups: people who were in government quarantine facilities; people who were under self-isolation at their own place; and the general population who did not need enforced quarantine
This study aims to capture patterns of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among three groups of (1) people being in government quarantine facilities, (2) people being self-quarantined compulsorily at home, and (3) the general population under the government responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 outbreak, being declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), has resulted in many crises on all aspects of the world [1]. By 30 June 2020, there has been 355 confirmed cases (of which 335 recovered), with no deaths and no new community-transmitted cases reported since the end of April 2020 [6] These preliminary successes in the battle against COVID-19 of Vietnam highlighted the highly effective measures in all fronts, including healthcare system, security force, economic policies, along with creative and effective communication campaigns [7]. During the peak of transmission, a nation-wide physical distancing policy was enacted for the period of 1–15 April 2020 via the Directive No.16/CT-TTg, reflecting the highest level of effort and determination against the pandemic in Vietnam [12] This practice was extended until 23 April 2020 [8,13] meaning that more than 95 million people were under self-isolation during the period. Central questions were how the COVID-19 pandemic affected health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the Vietnamese general population, and whether there is any difference in HRQOL among people under different quarantine conditions

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