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Improvement in Quality of Life through Self-Management of Mild Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ryuichi Ohta

    (Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Japan)

  • Yoshinori Ryu

    (Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Japan)

  • Chiaki Sano

    (Department of Community Medicine Management, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo 693-8501, Japan)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has inhibited people’s help-seeking behaviors (HSBs). In particular, older people in rural communities experienced limited access to medical care, which negatively affected their quality of life (QOL). Within HSB, self-management of mild symptoms may mitigate the difficulties experienced by older people in rural communities. However, few studies have examined the relationship between self-management and QOL. Therefore, we conducted a prospective cohort study to clarify this relationship. Our participants were over 65 years of age and lived in rural communities. QOL was measured with the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L). Demographic data and QOL were collected from participants via questionnaires in 2021 and 2022. The exposure group showed a significantly greater change in EQ-5D-5L health status index scores than the control group ( p = 0.002). In addition, the exposure group scored significantly lower than the control group on the EQ-5D-5L dimension “usual activities” in 2021 and on all dimensions in 2022. Thus, self-management of mild symptoms may improve QOL among older people in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational interventions for this population regarding self-management could improve QOL for entire communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Improvement in Quality of Life through Self-Management of Mild Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-9, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6652-:d:827505
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ryuichi Ohta & Mikiya Sato & Jun Kitayuguchi & Tetsuhiro Maeno & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Potential Help-Seeking Behaviors Associated with Better Self-Rated Health among Rural Older Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-8, August.
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    3. Ryuichi Ohta & Akinori Ueno & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Changes in the Comprehensiveness of Rural Medical Care for Older Japanese Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.
    4. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Daisuke Kataoka & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Effectiveness and Challenges in Local Self-Governance: Multifunctional Autonomy in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Ryuichi Ohta & Mikiya Sato & Jun Kitayuguchi & Tetsuhiro Maeno & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "The Association between the Self-Management of Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life of Elderly Populations in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-10, August.
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    9. Bayu Begashaw & Fasil Tessema & Hailay Abrha Gesesew, 2016. "Health Care Seeking Behavior in Southwest Ethiopia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(9), pages 1-13, September.
    10. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Older People’s Help-Seeking Behaviors in Rural Contexts: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    11. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Jun Kitayuguchi & Chiaki Sano & Karen D. Könings, 2021. "Educational Intervention to Improve Citizen’s Healthcare Participation Perception in Rural Japanese Communities: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
    12. Yumi Naito & Ryuichi Ohta & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Solving Social Problems in Aging Rural Japanese Communities: The Development and Sustainability of the Osekkai Conference as a Social Prescribing during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-15, November.
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    14. Ryuichi Ohta & Koichi Maiguma & Akiko Yata & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "A Solution for Loneliness in Rural Populations: The Effects of Osekkai Conferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, April.
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    1. Ryuichi Ohta & Koichi Maiguma & Akiko Yata & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Rebuilding Social Capital through Osekkai Conferences in Rural Communities: A Social Network Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-10, June.
    2. Ryuichi Ohta & Takuji Katsube & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Challenges in Help-Seeking Behaviors among Rural Older People Mitigated through Family Physician-Driven Outreach: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Ryuichi Ohta & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Associations between Perception of Help-Seeking Behaviors and Quality of Life among Older People in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-10, October.

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