The share of influence of factors determining the state of public health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background. The relevance of the study is explained by insufficient knowledge of the determinants of health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim. To study the share of influence of factors that determine the state of public health in the context of a pandemic of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Material and methods. A sociological research method was used in 2021, an anonymous survey of 42 expert healthcare managers, who were asked to determine the share of influence of determinants on the state of public health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, was conducted. After the completion of the survey, its results were compared with those obtained without a pandemic in 2017. Since the data distribution corresponded to the GaussNewton binomial curve, the significance of differences was assessed using the parametric Student's t-test. Results. It has been established that the structure of the influence of health determinants in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic differs significantly from that without it. During a pandemic, the share of factors in the Lifestyle group decreases by 1.75 times, and it is no longer a priority, but occupies the third ranking place. Out-of-group determinants, which were in second position, take the first place. The second ranking place with a growth of 1.60 times is occupied by the Conditions of life and work group. The share of influence of each of the considered 37 determinants of health was assessed multidirectional changes, for example, an increase in the responsibility of the authorities for actions and equity in relation to the health of the population from the General Factors group and a decrease in six of the seven determinants of the Lifestyle group, were identified. Continuation of the study is possible with regard to the formation of a separate block in the design of the appropriate optimization technology. Conclusion. A significant change in the structure of the influence of the public health determinants during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with the data obtained before the onset of this pandemic, has been established.