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13. Anxiety and Depression in Belgium during the First 15 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study

Author

UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, Bruggeman, Helena, Smith, Pierre, Berete, Finaba, Demarest, Stefaan, Hermans, Lize, Braekman, Elise, Charafeddine, Rana, Drieskens, Sabine, De Ridder, Karin, Gisle, Lydia, UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, Bruggeman, Helena, Smith, Pierre, Berete, Finaba, Demarest, Stefaan, Hermans, Lize, Braekman, Elise, Charafeddine, Rana, Drieskens, Sabine, De Ridder, Karin, and Gisle, Lydia

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and policy measures enacted to contain the spread of the coronavirus have had nationwide psychological effects. This study aimed to assess the impact of the first 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of anxiety (GAD-7 scale) and depression (PHQ-9 scale) of the Belgian adult population. A longitudinal study was conducted from April 2020 to June 2021, with 1838 respondents participating in 6 online surveys. Linear mixed models were used to model the associations between the predictor variables and the mental health outcomes. Results showed that the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was higher in times of stricter policy measures. Furthermore, after the initial stress from the outbreak, coping and adjustment were observed in participants, as symptoms of anxiety and depression decreased during times of lower policy restrictions to almost the same level as in pre-COVID times (2018). Though time trends were similar for all population subgroups, higher levels of both anxiety and depression were generally found among women, young people, people with poor social support, extraverts, people having pre-existing psychological problems, and people who were infected/exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, investment in mental health treatment programs and supports, especially for those risk groups, is crucial.

Published
2022

30. Short-term impact of the COVID-19 confinement measures on health behaviours and weight gain among adults in Belgium.

Author

UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, Drieskens, Sabine, Berger, Nicolas, Vandevijvere, Stefanie, Gisle, Lydia, Braekman, Elise, Charafeddine, Rana, De Ridder, Karin, Demarest, Stefaan, UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, Drieskens, Sabine, Berger, Nicolas, Vandevijvere, Stefanie, Gisle, Lydia, Braekman, Elise, Charafeddine, Rana, De Ridder, Karin, and Demarest, Stefaan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In Belgium, confinement measures were introduced on the 13th of March 2020 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). These measures may affect health behaviours of the population such as eating habits, physical activity and alcohol consumption, which in turn can lead to weight gain resulting in overweight and obesity, increasing the risk of several chronic diseases, but also of severe COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of confinement measures on health behaviours and their associations with weight gain. METHODS: Data were derived from the second national COVID-19 health survey. Data were collected between the 16th and the 23rd of April 2020. The recruitment of participants was based on snowball sampling via Sciensano's website, invitations via e-mail and social media. The study sample includes participants aged 18 years and over with no missing data on the variables of interest (n = 28,029). The association between self-reported weight gain and health behaviour changes, adjusted for gender, age group and household composition was assessed through OR's (95% CI) calculated with logistic regression models, using post-stratification weights. RESULTS: Overall, 28.6% reported weight gain after 6 weeks of confinement. Higher odds of weight gain were observed among participants who increased or decreased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = 1.39 (1.15-1.68) and 1.29 (1.04-1.60), respectively), among those who increased their consumption of sweet or salty snacks (OR = 3.65 (3.27-4.07)), among those who became less physically active (OR = 1.91 (1.71-2.13)), and among those who increased their alcohol consumption (OR = 1.86 (1.66-2.08)). CONCLUSIONS: The most important correlates of weight gain during confinement were an increased consumption of sweet or salty snacks and being less physically active. These findings confirm the impact of diet and exercise on short term weight gain and plead to take more action

Published
2021

35. Going online with the health interview survey? Assessing the effect of data collection mode on participation, measurements and costs in a Belgian context

Author

Braekman, Elise, Van Hal, Guido F., and Charafeddine, Rana

Abstract

National health interview surveys still have a key role in our health information system. These surveys are traditionally organized by means of a face-to-face interview, often in combination with a self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire for the most sensitive topics. This approach is being questioned due to some challenges (e.g. decreasing response rates, high financial costs and logistical burdens…) and the advantages associated with a new mode, namely web (e.g. cost advantage, ease of implementation…). Moreover, speedy internet connections and low internet access costs have contributed to high internet penetration rates (85% of the European households had access in 2016), making the web even more appealing for surveys. The web mode can be implemented as a single mode of data collection or within a mixed-mode design. The latter means that some respondents fill in the questionnaire via the web mode while others use the traditional mode (e.g. because of no internet access). The use of other modes of data collection or mixed-mode data collection will not only have implications for the organization of the fieldwork and for the costs, but can also lead to differences in the quality of the collected data. For example, it can affect the response rates (and the risk of non-response errors) and the measurement of health indicators (and the risk of measurement errors). In this dissertation, the effect of online data collection was assessed in the context of the Belgian health interview survey. The following aspects were, amongst others, evaluated: What is the effect of using different modes of data collection on the estimates of health indicators? What is the effect of applying different modes of data collection on the unit and item response rates? What is the difference in costs between different modes of data collection? This was done by organizing three studies (one in a convenience sample, the others in a random sample drawn from the general population). By means of this PhD project, the existing knowledge on the use of web and mixed-mode data collection in the framework of health interview surveys expanded. Moreover, the dissertation includes some general recommendations in order to meet the current challenges associated with the organization of health interview surveys.

Published
2020

49. Is the European Health Interview Survey online yet? Response and net sample composition of a web-based data collection.

Author

Braekman, Elise, Charafeddine, Rana, Demarest, Stefaan, Drieskens, Sabine, Tafforeau, Jean, Heyden, Johan Van der, and Hal, Guido Van

Subjects
*AGE distribution, *CLUSTER analysis (Statistics), *HEALTH status indicators, *QUESTIONNAIRES, *STATISTICAL sampling, *SEX distribution, *SURVEYS, *WORLD Wide Web, *EDUCATIONAL attainment, *CONTENT mining
Abstract

Background The European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) provides cross-national data on health status, health care and health determinants. So far, 10 of the 30 member states (MS) opted for web-based questionnaires within mixed-mode designs but none used it as the sole mode. In the context of future EHIS, the response rate and net sample composition of a web-only approach was tested. Methods A Belgian study with a target sample size of 1000 (age: 16–85) was organized using the EHIS wave 3 model questionnaire. The sample was selected according to a multistage, clustered sampling procedure with geographical stratification. Field substitution was applied; non-participating households were replaced by similar households regarding statistical sector, sex and age. There was one reminder letter and a €10 conditional incentive. Results Considering all substitutions, a 16% response rate was obtained after sending one reminder. Elderly, Brussels Capital inhabitants, people living without a partner and those with a non-Belgian nationality were less responding. By design, there were no differences between the initial and final net sample regarding substitution characteristics. Nevertheless, people living without a partner, non-Belgians and lower educated people remain underrepresented. Conclusion There was a low response rate, particularly for some population groups. The response rate was lower than those of MS using mixed-mode designs including web, especially these comprising interviewer-based approaches. Despite the long and complex questionnaire, there was a low break off rate. So far, web-only data collection is not an acceptable strategy for population-based health surveys but efforts to increase the response should be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2020
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