Post-COVID-19 social determinants of health and quality of life: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between the social determinants of health and quality of life domains in people in a post-COVID-19 condition. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted with 179 people from the states of Ceará and Maranhão, followed for six months after a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Data collection was performed using a link for COVID-19 patients monitoring software, sent monthly via phone messaging app. Variables related to the social determinants of health and the domains of the SF-36 questionnaire for assessing quality of life are considered. Data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Women showed improvements in the pain domain between the 2nd and 4th month (p = 0.038), vitality between the 4th and 6th month (p = 0.035), and mental health between the 2nd and 6th month (p = 0.005). Men showed better recovery in overall health status at 2 and 4 months (p = 0.029) and in social aspects at 2 and 6 months (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Progressive improvement in quality of life was observed throughout the follow-up period, with differences between men and women in the areas of pain, vitality, mental health, general health status, and social aspects.