Concerns, quality of life, access to care and productivity of the general population during the first 8\u2009weeks of the coronavirus lockdown in Belgium and the Netherlands

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has a disruptive impact on our society. We therefore conducted a population survey to describe: 1) stress, concerns and quality of life 2) access to healthcare and cancelled/delayed healthcare and 3) productivity during the first 8\u2009weeks of the coronavirus lockdown in the general population. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample after 8\u2009weeks of the coronavirus lockdown in Belgium and the Netherlands. The survey included a series of three validated questionnaires about quality of life delayed/cancelled medical care and productivity loss using validated questionnaires. Results In total, 2099 Belgian and 2058 Dutch respondents completed the survey with a mean age of 46.4 and 42.0\u2009years, respectively. Half of the respondents were female in both countries. A small proportion tested positive for COVID-19, 1.4% vs 4.7%, respectively. The majority of respondents with a medical condition was worried about their current health state due to the pandemic (53%) vs (63%), respectively. Respondents experienced postponed/cancelled care (26%) and were concerned about the availability of medication (32%) for both countries. Productivity losses due to the COVID-19 restrictions were calculated in absenteeism (36%) and presenteeism (30%) for Belgium, and (19%) and (35%) for the Netherlands. Most concerns and productivity losses were reported by respondents with children <\u200912\u2009years, respondents aged 18–35 and respondents with an (expected) COVID-19 infection. Conclusions This study describes stress, quality of life, medical resource loss and productivity losses in Belgium and the Netherlands after 8\u2009weeks of coronavirus lockdown. The results underline the burden on society.