Post COVID-19 pandemic assessment of quality of life of dental students using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire

Abstract

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 bitterly jolted the lives of masses around the globe, and affected the physical, mental, health, and quality of life of majority of individuals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of dental students of public and private colleges and those residing in college accommodation and own home using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 402 dental students of a private and public university. Students' t-test was used to compare the data. Relationship between gender, institute and accommodation (college accommodation or own home) was assessed by multiple linear regression. P-value of < 0.05 was taken significant. RESULTS: The participants rated their quality of life to be good (mean Score 3.99±SD 0.93) during the post COVID-19 pandemic, while satisfaction with health was neutral to satisfactory (mean Score 3.77±SD 0.87). A significant difference regarding physical health and social relationship domains was observed between the private and public university students. Significant differences in all domains of QOL was also reported among students living in own homes versus those students utilizing college accommodation. CONCLUSION: The post COVID-19 quality of life of dental students in both private and public institutes differed with respect to physical and environmental domains. The difference was more significant among the student living in college accommodation than those living at home, which underscores that effort should be made to facilitate the students to improve their the quality of life post pandemic so that they may be more focused on studies and perform better.