The percentage of adults dissatisfied with their lives increased sharply at the end of 2021, from 14 percent in early October to 34 percent in late December. Young people between the ages of 18 and 29 are the most likely (37 percent) to say they are dissatisfied with their lives. This is evident from Sciensano’s ninth Covid-19 health survey, the first results of which were announced today.
When the corona measures are tightened, the percentage of adults who experience a negative impact on various life domains will increase. This was especially the case for work or education, family life and social life, with percentages returning to the same level in December as in March 2021.
In December, 21 percent of adults had a major depressive disorder and 24 percent had an anxiety disorder. These are the highest percentages recorded since the start of the Covid-19 health surveys. 28 percent of adults suffered from severe loneliness. That figure corresponds to March 2021, according to Sciensano.
Self-testing and PCR testing
At the time of the survey, 45 percent of adults had ever taken a Covid-19 self-test. On average, these people have already taken three off. The main reasons for taking a self-test are: having symptoms, having had a high-risk contact and wanting to visit someone. Perhaps more use was made of the self-tests during the holidays because this advice was more strongly recommended, Sciensano points out.
Only 35 percent of adults with mild to moderate symptoms will have a PCR test taken effectively. Participants with symptoms who do not get tested do so because they believe the symptoms are not a reason to get tested (55 percent), have taken a negative self-test (22 percent), believe that the symptoms are due to someone else health problem than an infection with the coronavirus (14 percent).
Vaccination
87 percent of adults had been vaccinated during the survey period. The encouragement of the immediate social environment is an important factor for almost 50 percent of these individuals. Half of the unvaccinated say that nothing can convince them to get vaccinated after all. Four in five vaccinated adults want to get a booster shot. Many vaccinated young adults indicate that they are still in doubt or will not even accept this invitation.
Confidence in vaccines still remains high: 80 percent of respondents believe that vaccination is the best means of protection against the corona virus. Three quarters therefore believe that an employer should encourage and/or require vaccination.
Between December 13 and 23 – during the height of the fourth wave – 22,354 people took part in the health survey. With this, the health institute is assessing the consequences of the coronavirus epidemic on the population.
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