Table 1

Overview of the variables included in the COVID-19 exposure index

ItemCut-offPrevalence (%)
1. Tested positive for COVID-19 or probable COVID-19 (told by healthcare professional)No=0, yes=12.7
2. Hospital admission/intensive care unit admission because of COVID-19No=0, yes=10.4
3. Partner/parent/child with COVID-19 positive testNo=0, yes=13.5
4. Partner/parent/child with COVID-19 hospital admission or deathNo=0, yes=11.3
5. Sibling/grandchild/other family member with COVID-19 hospital admission or deathNo=0, yes=15.3
6. Neighbour/friend/other acquaintance with COVID-19 hospital admission or deathNo=0, yes=130.0
7. Respondent has been in quarantineNo=0, yes=111.8
8. General practitioner (GP) visit cancelled by GP because of the COVID-19 situationNo=0, yes=19.5
9. GP visit replaced by telephone consultation because of the COVID-19 situationNo=0, yes=115.4
10. Respondent cancelled/postponed GP visit because of the COVID-19 situationNo=0, yes=16.9
11. Specialist outpatient visit cancelled by outpatient clinic because of the COVID-19 situationNo=0, yes=124.8
12. Specialist outpatient visit replaced by telephone consultation because of the COVID-19 situationNo=0, yes=121.4
13. Respondent cancelled/postponed specialist outpatient visit because of the COVID-19 situationNo=0, yes=17.5
14. Respondent postponed help seeking for physical/psychological complaints because of the COVID-19 situationNo=0, yes=18.3
15. Providing personal/household care: experience of increased burden during the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, yes=12.7
16. Providing personal/household care: more than before the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, yes=14.2
17. Decrease in received personal/household care during the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, yes=14.5
18. Work situation: lower salary due to the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, yes=11.0
19. Difficulties with grocery shopping because of the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, sometimes or always=115.2
20. Weight loss/weight gain because of COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, sometimes or always=137.7
21. Less physical activity than before the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, sometimes or always=149.8
22. Increased alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, sometimes or always=113.8
23. Less social contact with family during the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, yes=138.3
24. Less social contact with friends and acquaintances during the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, yes=140.9
25. Less social contact with formal relationships during the COVID-19 pandemicNo=0, yes=112.3
26. Impact of job loss/financial problems of respondent during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=18.8
27. Impact of job loss/financial problems of close relative during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=115.5
28. Impact of cancellation of leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=170.8
29. Impact of not being able to visit bars, restaurants and/or shops during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=172.5
30. Impact of experience of illness during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=110.5
31. Impact of death or severe illness of partner or household member during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=17.1
32. Death or severe illness of family member or friend during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=129.3
33. Impact of no contact or less contact with children/grandchildren during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=154.3
34. Impact of no contact or less contact with family/friends during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=167.3
35. Impact of difficulties in obtaining essential medication during the COVID-19 pandemicNo impact=0, moderate or strong=15.8