Determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective Thus far, there is very limited knowledge regarding homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly related to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Thus, our aim was to evaluate HRQoL and to clarify the determinants of HRQoL among homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Methods Data were taken from the national survey on psychiatric and somatic health of homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic—NAPSHI (n = 616). The established EQ-5D-5L was used to quantify problems in five health dimensions, and its visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) was used to record self-rated health status. Sociodemographic factors were included in regression analysis. Results Pain/discomfort was the most frequently reported problem (45.3%), thereafter anxiety/depression (35.9%), mobility (25.4%), usual activities (18.5%) and self-care (11.4%). Average EQ-VAS score was 68.97 (SD: 23.83), and the mean EQ-5D-5L index was 0.85 (SD: 0.24). Regressions showed that higher age and having a health insurance were associated with several problem dimensions. Being married was associated with higher EQ-VAS scores. Conclusions Overall, our study findings showed a quite high HRQoL among homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Some important determinants of HRQoL were identified (e.g., age or marital status). Longitudinal studies are required to confirm our findings.

Agudização das iniquidades sociais em tempo de pandemia: Revisão sistemática

“…A pandemia do COVID-19, entre outras coisas, promoveu um isolamento social que mudou totalmente o mercado de trabalho, gerando um aumento de desemprego, incluindo trabalhadores com carteira assinada, mas principalmente aqueles com empregos informais, elevando o número de pessoas em vulnerabilidade social (Brennecke et al, 2023).…”