Abstract
Objective: Quantify change in wellbeing and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults pre and post Australia's initial COVID-19 lockdown.
Methods: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults completed an online survey at Time 1 (October–November 2019; before the initial Australian COVID-19 outbreak) and Time 2 (August–September 2020; after the first Australian lockdown). We assessed wellbeing using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and HRQoL using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL-4D) instrument. Participants who completed both surveys (n=42) were included to quantify change in outcomes over time and by comorbidity and demographic factors.
Results: Mean reduction in wellbeing over time was 6.4 points (95%CI −14.2 to 1.4) and was associated with age (18–54yo), financial instability and mental health comorbidity. Mean reduction in HRQoL over time was 0.06 (95%CI −0.12 to 0.01) and was associated with financial instability, high physical comorbidity level and mental health comorbidity.
Conclusions: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 18–54yo, who were financially unstable or had elevated comorbidity during COVID lockdowns experienced greater reductions in wellbeing and HRQoL.
Implications for public health: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Australia, both urgent and forward planning is needed, especially for the priority groups identified.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 170-176 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 23 Dec 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The What Matters study is funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project grant (#1125434). This study was also supported by the NHMRC funded Centre of Research Excellence in (TACTICS; #1153027). AG is supported by a NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship (APP1168150) and a TACTICS Postgraduate Scholarship top‐up. AD was funded via the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Targeted Approaches To Improve Cancer Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (TACTICS; #1153027) and a University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine Fellowship. GG salary was supported by an NHMRC Investigator Grant (#1176651). KA salary was supported by the NHMRC funded What Matters study (#1125434).
