The health-related quality of life of undergraduate health and rehabilitation sciences students at a South African university during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Abstract
Background. University students were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to sudden changes in learning practices including remote learning and lack of academic and social support amid fears of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. The impact of the pandemic on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of students in South Africa (SA) is not known.
Objectives. To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HRQoL of undergraduate Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS) students at the University of Cape Town, SA.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2022 during the fifth wave of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant in SA. An author-generated questionnaire and validated 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) were administered to all registered undergraduate HRS students. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-tests were computed to determine associations between HRQoL and participant characteristics.
Results. There were 101 participants in the study, the majority of whom were between 18 and 23 years old, female (92%) and English home language speakers (67.3%). Significant differences in HRQoL were found in year of study (p=0.03, general health (GH)); financial aid support (p=0.02, GH); gender (p=0.01, energy/fatigue (EF)); degree programme (p=0.01, role emotional (RE)); and mental health diagnosis (p=0.02; EF, p=0.02; RE, p=0.02).
Conclusion. The HRQoL of university HRS students was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and was positively associated with gender, year of study, academic programme, financial aid status and COVID-19 diagnosis. Health educators should be aware of the impact of a pandemic on students’ HRQoL. Improved academic and psychosocial support should be made available to students during such times of crisis.
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