IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF HIGHER EDUCATION MEMBERS IN MARANHÃO

Abstract

Objective: Identify the impact of social isolation on the quality of life of the academic community (students, teachers and administrative staff) of a public university in Maranhão during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study, sample of 436 respondents composed of 298 (68.3%) students, 95 (21.8%) teachers, 43 (9.9%) administrative staff. To assess quality of life, the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire and questions about screen time and physical activity before and during the pandemic were applied virtually. Mean descriptive values, standard deviation, percentage and Chi-Square test were used for descriptive analysis, considering significant differences, p value <0.05. RESULTS: In the physical, psychological, and environmental domains, students, teachers and public servants were within the regular classification, in the social relations domain, only male teachers were classified as good, all others were in the regular classification. Regarding the practice of exercises, there is a reduction during the pandemic and an increase in screen time. Conclusions: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the behavior of the investigated academic community, especially with regard to the quality of life shown in the physical, psychological and environmental domains, in addition to the longer screen time and reduced practice of physical activity.