世界发展银行-COVID-19-Armenia-High-Frequency-Survey-Brief,-February-2021_2页_285kb

COVID-19 Armenia High Frequency Survey Brief – February 2021 Summary

Core Content

This report summarizes the findings from the COVID-19 Armenia High Frequency Survey (AHFS), specifically Wave 1 (AHFS-I) and Wave 2 (AHFS-II), conducted by the World Bank's Poverty and Equity team in collaboration with UNICEF Armenia. The surveys were carried out via phone interviews between July and September 2020, and the results are based on 4,555 valid responses for AHFS-I and 1,648 for AHFS-II, representing the adult population and households with children at the national, regional, and urban/rural levels.

Main Topics Covered

The AHFS-I and II surveys covered a wide range of topics, including:

• COVID-19 cases within the household
• Food security concerns
• Government assistance received during the state of emergency
• Impact on health access
• Employment effects of the pandemic
• Mental health status
• Effects on learning for school-aged children
• Expenditure changes due to the pandemic

Key Findings

1. COVID-19 Cases

• 5.2% of all adults in Armenia had a family member who tested positive for COVID-19 by September 2020.
• There was significant regional variation, with higher prevalence in urban areas and central regions (Ararat, Kotayk, Yerevan).

2. Job Loss and Income Impact

• 18% of adults who were employed before the pandemic (or 241,442 adults) lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
• Job losses were more common among unregistered workers and female workers.
• Job loss is highly correlated with income loss, mental health issues, and food insecurity.

3. Government Assistance

• Government support was well-targeted, particularly towards adults who lost jobs and households with reduced income.
• Assistance included cash and food aid, which helped mitigate some of the economic impacts.

4. Impact on Health Services

• 20% of households that needed medical assistance during the state of emergency did not or could not seek help.
• 60% of households with children who needed vaccination were not vaccinated during this period.

5. Learning Disruption

• Internet connectivity played a crucial role in distance learning for school-aged children.
• Lower participation in distance learning was observed in rural areas and regions such as Aragatsotn, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Tavush, and Sjunik.

6. Mental Health

• High levels of anxiety and depression were reported among the population.
• These issues were strongly linked to job losses.
• Female population experienced higher levels of anxiety and depression, likely due to the disproportionate impact of job losses on them.

7. Expenditure Changes

• Many households reported difficulty in paying for essential expenses, including medical supplies.
• The economic shocks from the pandemic significantly affected household spending and access to basic needs.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 AHFS-I and II surveys highlight the severe economic and social impacts of the pandemic in Armenia. Key challenges include job losses, food insecurity, mental health decline, and disruption of education and health services, especially in rural and less developed regions. The government's targeted assistance provided some relief, but significant gaps remain, particularly in healthcare access and internet connectivity. These findings underscore the need for continued support and policy interventions to address the long-term effects of the pandemic on vulnerable populations.