COVID-19 pandemics impact on Polish society –preliminary results of a survey

Background: The survey aim was to assess COVID-19 pandemic impact on Polish society. Methods: Data were collected based on a special questionnaire in the period of September - October 2021. The questionnaire focused on societal behaviours and quality of life impact of COVID-19 pandemics in Poland. The assessment was performed both online and using paper version of the questionnaire. Results: A total of 290 respondents answered the survey, mostly female (74,8%) young people, aged 18-25 years (50,3%) and inhabitants of big cities (53,8%). Most of the respondents received the vaccine against COVID (79,7%). Within the youngest group the vaccination was received by 80,8% and by 81% in the eldest group. The highest percentage of vaccinated when analysed by place of residence was in a city of more than 500,000 inhabitants (85,3%). As far as to employment status, the percentage of vaccinated among retired and students was high ( 92,3% and 81,3% respectively). Good physical health was declared by 46.2% respondents and very good by 21%. Mental health status in 34.8% of respondents was assessed as good and 15.2% as very good. Mental health was assessed the worst by the youngest respondents and by respondents from cities of 50,000 -150,000 inhabitants, who described the state of psychological health as bad and very bad. Conclusion: For better understanding of COVID-19 pandemics impact on society further studies on broader population are recommended. There is need to increase awareness of COVID -19 disease, vaccines and their impact on society and on fighting with pandemic.