ABOUT THE STUDY

COVID-19 National Resilience Cohort

 

is a scientific study conducted by the

 

University of Iceland, the Directorate of Health and the Chief Epidemiologist.

The COVID-19 epidemic is one of the greatest challenges faced by the nations of the world and it has immense effects on public safety and the economy. Icelanders have not been spared these societal woes and therefore it is important to examine the effects which the epidemic has had on the Icelandic people.

COVID-19 National Resilience Cohort is a scientific study conducted by the University of Iceland, the Directorate of Health and the Chief Epidemiologist, with the aim of increasing knowledge about the epidemic’s effects on the well-being and lifestyle of Icelanders. The study is part of an international study project in this field and it is open to all individuals who are 18 years old or older and in possession of an Íslykill code (Ice Key) or digital certificate.

 

An attempt will be made to answer the following questions:

  • What are the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on stress-related symptoms and the psychological well-being and lifestyle of Icelanders?
  • Is there a link between medical history and other risk factors, confirmed COVID-19 infection, quarantine, isolation or changes to the economy or daily life and increased stress, worse condition and lifestyle?
  • Will high levels of stress-related and mental symptoms in these uncertain times have wider implications for human health in the long run?

 

The project is also intended to provide general information to the participants and all Icelanders concerning mental health promotion and where people can turn to seek support and mental health services in these uncertain times.

It is expected that the study will give clear answers to the aforesaid questions, and such knowledge is important for the authorities with regard to the planning of health services and civil defence in times of societal setbacks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

PARTICIPATION

What does participation involve?

Electronic questionnaire – takes 15-20 minutes to complete. In addition to background information, and questions about medical history and possible risk factors, most of the questions concern the effects which the COVID-19 epidemic has had on your life and the lives of the people close to you, and there are also questions about your state of health and well-being in general over the past few weeks. The plan is that you will receive a request to complete a similar questionnaire one year from now.

At a later stage you will be invited to participate in follow-up studies and/or possibly subordinate studies that will be approved by the National Bioethics Committee and the Data Protection Authority. You can make a decision regarding such participation later, when you receive the invitation.

Record linkages to other health information and biobanks. In order to fully understand if the epidemic and reactions to it have wider implications for your state of health in the long run we also ask for your broad consent for linking the information from the questionnaire to health databases, studies and biopsy collections in the field of human health, pending additional permission from the National Bioethics Committee.

How do I register for the study?

You register for participation here on this website by using the Íslykill code (Ice Key) or your digital certificate, and after that you will confirm your participation by electronic manner. Subsequently you will be asked to provide your e-mail address and mobile phone number, which we will use to send you a hot link to the electronic questionnaire. You will then have the option to answer the questions on a computer or through the phone.

Your participation in the study is completely optional as you can choose to omit certain parts of the study or to discontinue your participation at any time during the process without further explanation.

  • QUESTIONS

    Electronic questionnaire that takes approx 15-20 minutes. You have to be older than 18 years and have Íslykill code (Ice Key) or your digital certificate.

  • INVITE

    At a later stage you will be invited to participate in follow-up studies. You can make a decision regarding such participation later.

  • RECORD LINKAGE

    Record linkages to other health information and biobanks might be made, pending additional permission from you and the National Bioethics Committee.

  • RESULTS

    The Cohort results will be published in peer reviewed scientific publications as well as here on the website, in media and on the social media of the Cohort.

  • KNOWLEDGE

    The aim of this scientific research is to increase the knowledge about the COVID-19 epidemic effects on the well-being and lifestyle of Icelanders.

IS MY INFORMATION SECURE?

The information which you supply through the questionnaire is preserved in encoded form in the data centers of the software company Medei ApS and the University of Iceland’s Division of information technology (Upplýsingatæknisvið Háskóla Íslands). The data centers are access-controlled to ensure that no unauthorized person can obtain this information and it is only accessible to the person responsible for the study and the database managers. Your information will only be used for the aforesaid scientific study and not for any other purposes, with the exception of possible subordinate studies that will take place with the permission of the National Bioethics Committee and the Data Protection Authority. Scientists who process the data will receive information in encoded form and therefore will not be able to trace the information back to you. These processes and the study as a whole has been given the approval of the National Bioethics Committee and the Data Protection Authority.

THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS

Who conducts the study?

The principal investigator for the study is Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Iceland. The study is a collaborative effort between various scientists from the University of Iceland and the Directorate of Health (see the list of researchers below).

Where can I obtain further information?

If you have any questions about the study or if you require further information regarding your participation, you can send an email to the address: lidanicovid@hi.is

Researchers:

Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir, professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Arna Hauksdóttir, professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, post-doctoral researcher at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Berglind Guðmundsdóttir, professor and head psychologist at the National University Hospital of Iceland

Harpa Rúnarsdóttir, project manager at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Harpa Lind Jónsdóttir, post-doctoral researcher at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Thor Aspelund, professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Jóhanna Jakobsdóttir, assistant professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Gunnar Tómasson, associate professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland

Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir, head of the public health department at the Directorate of Health

Hildur Björk Sigbjörnsdóttir, project manager at the Directorate of Health

Alma D. Möller, Director of Health

Sigríður Haraldsd Elínardóttir, head of the health information department at the Directorate of Health

Þórólfur Guðnason, Chief Epidemiologist, the Directorate of Health

WITH KNOWLEDGE WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!