Post-COVID-19 Impacts on Sociocultural Practices and Quality of Life in Baglung District, Nepal

Abstract

In late 2019, viral outbreaks, such as SARS and SARS-CoV-2 (coronaviruses), began to spread globally, severely affecting public health and disrupting the national and global economy. The pandemic lasted for more than two years and posed a serious threat to human health. Even after the virus was controlled, its long-term effects, commonly called post-COVID-19 conditions, continued to affect the quality of life of many individuals worldwide. This study explored how post-COVID-19 conditions influenced sociocultural activities and quality of life in Baglung District, Western Nepal. The research acknowledges diverse personal and community experiences, adopts a mixed-methods and explanatory design, and collects both qualitative and quantitative data between September 2022 and January 2024. The findings inform a variety of behavioral and psychological changes among people recovering from COVID-19. These include reduced motivation for teaching and learning, economic disruptions, and increased physical and emotional strain. However, cultural activities played a key role in helping people adapt to these challenges, supporting knowledge sharing, economic recovery, social cohesion, and cultural continuity.