Post-COVID-19 Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Malaysian Population: Association between Internet Addiction and Sociodemographic Characteristics
HRQOL Post-COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic changed how people communicate, whereby there is an increase in internet usage, raising concerns about internet addiction (IA). This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among Malaysian adults and its association with IA and sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and September 2022. Participants were given a set of online questionnaire including the Short-Form (SF-12) scale. The SF-12 measured two domains of HRQOL: physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). A total of 250 adult patients participated with the mean age of 34.69 years (SD 11.39). Most participants were females (n = 149, 59.6%) and Malays (n = 203, 81.2%). The mean scores for HRQOL components, specifically PCS and MCS were 46.94 (SD 7.46) (min = 23.36, max = 67.11) and 46.18 (SD 10.12) (min = 9.32, max = 72.70), respectively. The prevalence of IA was 30.3%, with a mean score of 39.09 (SD 12.28) (min = 20, max = 87). Multivariable analysis revealed that Malay ethnicity was associated with higher PCS [β = 2.93, (95% CI 0.51, 5.35), p = 0.018] and MCS [β = 3.16, (95% CI 0.28, 6.05), p = 0.032] compared to non-Malay. IA was negatively associated with MCS [β = -0.37, (95% CI -0.46, -0.28), p < 0.001], meaning that the participants with one-unit higher IA scores had lower MCS scores by 0.37 compared to participants with one-unit IA scores. Our finding demonstrates a decrement in HRQOL domains compared to before the pandemic. Malay ethnicity had a higher physical and mental well-being, while individuals with IA had lower mental well-being.
Keywords :
COVID-19 pandemic; health-related quality of life; internet addiction; mental; physical,
Abstrak
Pandemik COVID-19 telah mengubah cara komunikasi masyarakat, di mana terdapat peningkatan penggunaan internet yang menimbulkan kebimbangan terhadap ketagihan internet (IA). Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai kualiti hidup berkaitan kesihatan (HRQOL) dalam kalangan orang dewasa di Malaysia serta hubungannya dengan IA dan ciri-ciri sosiodemografi. Kajian keratan rentas ini telah dijalankan antara Jun dan September 2022. Peserta diberikan satu set soal selidik dalam talian yang merangkumi skala Short-Form-12 (SF-12). SF-12 mengukur dua domain HRQOL, iaitu ringkasan komponen fizikal (PCS) dan ringkasan komponen mental (MCS). Seramai 250 peserta dewasa mengambil bahagian dengan min umur 34.69 tahun [Sisihan piawai (SP) 11.39]. Kebanyakan peserta terdiri daripada wanita (n = 149, 59.6%) dan berbangsa Melayu (n = 203, 81.2%). Skor min bagi komponen HRQOL iaitu PCS dan MCS masing-masing adalah 46.94 (SP 7.46) (min=23.36, maks = 67.11) dan 46.18 (SP 10.12) (min = 9.32, maks = 72.70). Prevalen IA adalah 30.3% dengan skor min 39.09 (SP 12.28) (min = 20, maks = 87). Analisis multivariat menunjukkan bahawa etnik Melayu dikaitkan dengan skor PCS [β = 2.93, (95% CI 0.51, 5.35), p = 0.018] dan MCS [β = 3.16, (95% CI 0.28, 6.05), p = 0.032] yang lebih tinggi berbanding dengan peserta bukan Melayu. Selain itu, IA dikaitkan secara negatif dengan MCS [β = -0.37, (95% CI -0.46, -0.28), p <0.001], yang bermaksud peserta dengan skor IA yang lebih tinggi satu unit mempunyai skor MCS rendah sebanyak 0.37 berbanding peserta dengan skor IA satu unit lebih rendah. Penemuan kajian ini menunjukkan penurunan dalam domain HRQOL berbanding sebelum pandemik. Etnik Melayu mencatatkan tahap kesejahteraan fizikal dan mental yang lebih tinggi, manakala individu yang IA mempunyai tahap kesejahteraan mental yang lebih rendah.
Kata Kunci :
Fizikal; ketagihan internet; kualiti hidup berkaitan dengan kesihatan; mental; pandemik COVID-19,
Correspondance Address
Norfazilah Ahmad. Department of Public Health Medicine, 6th floor, Preclinical Block, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +603-91458781 E-mail: norfazilah@hctm.ukm.edu.my
