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31-May-2023
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Arch Hellen Med, 40(3), May-June 2023, 363-368 ORIGINAL PAPER The COVID-19 effects on isolated societies The case of the Greek island of Lemnos M. Kassimi,
S. Karachrysafi,
G. Delis,
D. Kavvadas,
T. Papamitsou |
OBJECTIVE To study the consequences of COVID-19 on the inhabitants of Lemnos and to examine the effect of the demographic, professional and medical profiles, as well as the effect of their habits during the pandemic.
METHOD Quantitative, primary, synchronous and correlational research was conducted between and within the groups. The survey involved 115 residents of Lemnos. The relevant questionnaires, Fear of COVID-19 (α=0.901) and WHOQOL-BREF (α>=0.841), were used. The statistical tests of independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, and Spearman were used with a significance level of 5%.
RESULTS The economic impact on income was related to occupational status (p<0.001) and COVID-19 disease (p=0.002), while the economic impact on tourism was related to educational level (p=0.019) and the use of social media (p=0.045). Fear of COVID-19 was influenced by gender (p=0.004), the number of vaccines (p<0.001), outings for non-professional reasons (p=0.005) and exercise (p=0.002). Physical health was affected by gender (p=0.012), non-professional reasons (p=0.017), and physical activity (p<0.001). Mental health was affected by gender (p=0.003), age (p=0.043), monthly family income (p=0.031) and physical activity (p=0.030). Social relationships were affected by monthly family income (p=0.007), COVID-19 illness (p=0.036), non-professional outings (p=0.001) and physical activity (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS The inhabitants of Lemnos felt a high degree of fear for their loved ones. However, the pandemic did not affect their levels of physical or mental health and social relationships. Social media raised the awareness of residents about the economic impact of the pandemic on the island.
Key words: COVID-19, Greece, Lemnos island, SARS-CoV-2, Societies.
