Indiqol: A Longitudinal Study on Health and Well-being Impact of COVID-19 in India

The IndiQol Project is a research initiative aimed at understanding how Indians value different health statuses and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and well-being. It is being conducted by a research team led by Associate Professor Kompal Sinha, in collaboration with several universities,
including the University of York, Erasmus University Medical Centre, and Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy (MUCHE), alongside Morsel India.
The IndiQol Project consists of four phases, each conducted over a two-year period (2023-2024), with interviews at 4-month intervals:
1. Phase 1 (Wave 1): The initial round where approximately 3,000 randomly selected households across six Indian states (Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra) were surveyed.
Data was collected on health status, COVID-19 impact, household composition, assets, and demographics.
2. Phase 2 (Wave 2): The second round, focused on re-interviewing the same households from Wave 1 to assess changes in health, well-being, and post-COVID conditions. This is a follow-up survey to gather updated data.
3. Phase 3 & 4 (Wave 3 & Wave 4): The subsequent follow-up phases will continue at 4-month intervals. These waves will track health and socio-economic changes, allowing researchers to study the long-term effects of COVID-19 and other factors on well-being.

Key Objectives:
1. Survey Coverage: The project targets individuals aged 18 and above across six Indian states: Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
2. Data Collection: The survey aims to gather information on household composition, health status, assets, education, employment, and the impact of COVID-19, including vaccination status.

Research Protocols:
1. Each household member aged 18 and above is interviewed.
2. Questions focus on COVID-19 status, demographic and household characteristics, as well as well-being indicators such as material well-being and health-related quality of life .

Participant Incentives:
Respondents receive a gift voucher (equivalent to 2 Euros) at the end of the follow-up surveys to encourage participation across all waves.

This project, funded by the EuroQol Group, will provide valuable insights into the long-term health and socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.