17 February 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) and Grindeks present the findings of a nationwide survey on the consequences of COVID-19 that Russians face and how they cope with them.
Seventy-nine percent of those who were diagnosed with COVID-19 disease or had similar symptoms experienced post-COVID symptoms. Half of those who were sick with COVID-19 pointed to smell and taste disorders (49%), followed by general fatigue (38%).
Most of Russians who were sick with the coronavirus disease and experienced post-covid symptoms did not undergo any rehabilitation to recover (80%); 20% of those who were sick with the COVID-19 took rehabilitation.
Those respondents who underwent rehabilitation primarily took medications (64%), had walks in the fresh air (54%), did breathing exercise (42%) and physical exercise (41%), paid attention to health and lifestyle (33%); one in five respondents went through medical examination (21%). Every second respondent, among those who underwent rehabilitation after COVID-19 disease, felt fatigue (55%) and loss of smell and taste (52%).
Half of Russians (61%) consider that doctor’s appointment is needed when you feel fatigue and low productivity after COVID-19 (61%); one in five point to medications and vitamins boosting recovery (19%); one in ten say that nothing special is needed: recovery will take time but everything will be fine anyway (11%).
Most of Russians mention the following medications as a remedy to fight general fatigue: vitamins (7%), vitamin D, in particular “Aquadetrim”, “Mildronate” (2%, each) and others.
“Mildronate” is known, to a certain degree, to 68% of Russians; 13% personally took it. One-quarter of respondents who are well aware of this medication often say that it can boost productivity (25%); one in five say that it helps the body during intense physical activity (20%).
One-third of Russians who are aware of the medication heard that “Mildronate” is used to recover after the COVID-19 disease (35%); 63% did not come across this information.
Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was commissioned by Grindeks and conducted January 25, 2022. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18+. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. Data were weighted according to the probability of selection and socio-demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Have you been sick with the coronavirus disease, or not? If yes, was it confirmed by medical tests? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 + |
Yes, medical tests / tests confirmed that I was sick | 26 | 21 | 30 | 23 | 31 | 22 |
I had coronavirus symptoms but the tests did not confirm the disease | 7 | 7 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 3 |
I had coronavirus symptoms but I did not take medical tests / COVID-19 tests | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 13 | 9 |
No, I wasn’t sick with COVID-19 / I think I wasn’t sick | 52 | 56 | 39 | 50 | 49 | 64 |
Don’t know/refusal to answer | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Comments on the data on those who contracted COVID-19: Respondents said they were sick or were probably sick with the coronavirus disease: they were tested for COVID-19 at their community-based outpatient clinic or self-tested at home, had self-diagnosed similar symptoms but were not tested and did not see a doctor. Respondents’ responses are subjective and reflect individual interpretations of the state of their health and cannot characterize the real epidemiological situation. VCIOM data are not statistical data on the coronavirus disease in Russia.
Are you undertaking any rehabilitation to recover from the COVID-19 disease? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who have been sick with the coronavirus disease) | ||||
| Total respondents | Yes, I experienced post-COVID-19 symptoms | No , I have not experienced post-COVID-19 symptoms | Don’t know |
Yes | 17 | 20 | 8 | 6 |
No | 82 | 80 | 91 | 85 |
Don’t know | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Did you personally experience post-covid conditions? If yes, what kind of conditions? (closed-ended question, any number of answers; those who have been sick) | ||||
| Total respondents | Yes, I have gone through rehabilitation | No, I haven’t gone through rehabilitation | Don’t know |
Smell and taste disorders | 49 | 55 | 35 | 32 |
General fatigue | 38 | 40 | 27 | 0 |
Shortness of breath while doing simple exercise | 29 | 18 | 15 | 0 |
Insomnia | 19 | 23 | 18 | 20 |
Low mood, depression | 17 | 21 | 14 | 0 |
Anxiety | 16 | 23 | 16 | 0 |
Excessive sweating | 15 | 9 | 6 | 0 |
Allergy | 7 | 52 | 48 | 19 |
Other complications | 22 | 9 | 21 | 49 |
No, I haven’t experienced anything | 19 | 40 | 18 | 32 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
What types of rehabilitation therapy did you take? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % those who have been sick with COVID-19 and have gone through rehabilitation) | |
| Total respondents |
Taking medicines | 64 |
Walks in fresh air | 54 |
Breathing exercises | 42 |
Physical exercises, rehabilitation exercises | 41 |
General attention to health and lifestyle | 33 |
Going through health check | 21 |
Giving up bad habits | 14 |
None of the above-mentioned | 1 |
Other | 29 |
Do you know any pharmaceutical products /medicines that help combat fatigue and recover energy? If so, what kind of medicines? (open-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Vitamins / multivitamins | 7 |
Aquadetrim / vitamin D | 2 |
Mildronate | 2 |
Arbidol | 2 |
Vitamin С | 2 |
Paracetamol | 1 |
Anti-viral | 1 |
Traditional medicine | 1 |
Aspirin | 1 |
Ginseng | 1 |
B group vitamins | 1 |
Alcohol / vodka with pepper | 1 |
Supplements | 1 |
Healthy foods / fruit, vegetables | 1 |
Blood thinners | 1 |
Herbs | 1 |
Antibiotics | 1 |
Antigrippin | 1 |
I don’t know such medicines | 58 |
Other | 16 |
Don’t know | 17 |
Do you know a medicine called “Mildronate” (with meldonium as the active substance), or do you hear about it for the first time? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) |
| |||
| Total respondents | Men | Women | |
I am well aware; I took it | 13 | 8 | 17 | |
I know it but I didn’t take it | 17 | 15 | 18 | |
I heard something but I don’t know any details | 38 | 41 | 35 | |
I heard about it for the first time | 31 | 34 | 29 | |
I am aware of the meldonium but I know nothing about Mildronate | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Don’t know | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Based on your knowledge and /or experience with Mildronate, what can this medicine be used for? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who are aware of this medicine) | |
| Total respondents |
To enhance work productivity | 25 |
To help the body when you have intense physical activity | 20 |
Heart or brain diseases | 17 |
Rehabilitation after illness | 12 |
Hypoxia | 5 |
You shouldn’t take this medicine | 2 |
Other | 7 |
It should be taken only by medical prescription | 47 |
Don’t know | 3 |
Have you come across information that the Mildronate medication (with meldonium as the active substance) is used for rehabilitation including post-COVID-19 rehabilitation, or not? If yes, where did you come across it? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of those who are aware of this medicine or heard about it) | |
| Total respondents |
Information in media, health tv shows | 9 |
Information on the Internet | 8 |
Doctor's visit | 7 |
Recommendations of relatives and friends | 4 |
Other (advertisement, I knew about it after the Olympics) | 3 |
None of the above-mentioned | 9 |
No, never | 63 |
Don’t know | 2 |