# Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health situation of the Brazilian population

## TL;DR

This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the health and socioeconomic conditions of the Brazilian population, including vaccination coverage and long-term effects like Long COVID.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the post-pandemic health situation in Brazil, including Long COVID prevalence and its associations with health and mental well-being.

## Key findings

- 32% of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals reported Long COVID.
- 41.6% of respondents faced financial difficulties in the post-pandemic period.
- Long COVID was associated with worsened self-rated health, sleep disorders, and depressive symptoms.

## Abstract

The analysis of COVID-19 mortality revealed that the Brazilian population was critically impacted by the pandemic. However, many knowledge gaps remain regarding COVID-19 morbidity in the country. This article aims to analyze the consequences of the coronavirus disease on health situation of the Brazilian population.

This was a cross-sectional epidemiological online survey using an electronic questionnaire between July and December 2023. The sampling method used was the virtual Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS). Changes in socioeconomic conditions were assessed in the post-pandemic period. Anti-COVID-19 vaccination coverage, prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were estimated, as well as of sequelae lasting three months or more (Long COVID) among confirmed cases. Associations of Long COVID with self-reported heath status, sleep disorders, and depressive symptoms were analyzed.

The sample included 3805 individuals 18-years or older. Regarding vaccination, 61.5 % (95 % CI: 58.0 %–65.0 %) stated they had received 3‒4 doses. In the post-pandemic period, 41.6 % faced financial difficulties. Prevalence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was 40.2 %, 6.4 % of respondents reported having had COVID-19, although not confirmed by test, and 15.3 % did not know if they had been infected with the coronavirus. Among those infected, 32.0 % (95 % CI: 28.8 %–35.3 %) reported Long COVID, 21.4 % reported a COVID-19-related illness, and 5.2 % needed and obtained hospitalization. Long COVID was associated with worsening self-rated health, sleep disorders, feelings of depression and 27.7 % were unable to perform their usual activities for one month or more.

The results of this study showed that Brazil was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of mortality and morbidity. The availability of timely post-pandemic data, as presented in this study, may be highly relevant to inform public policies aimed at promoting healthy behaviors, controlling NCDs, improving mental health care, and supporting specialized care for Long COVID within the public health system.