Public Health Professionals’ Perspectives on Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lithuania
1
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
2
Vilnius City Municipal Public Health Bureau, Vilnius, Lithuania
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3144
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a major public health challenge worldwide. Although Lithuania did not experience a severe first wave of COVID-19 between March and May 2020, subsequent waves had considerably more severe consequences. To limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the Lithuanian Government implemented a complex set of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). This study aimed to evaluate public health professionals’ opinions on the effectiveness of these NPIs in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2022. Questionnaires were distributed to public health professionals working in selected municipal public health bureaus across Lithuania. A total of 281 specialists completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 44.8%. Respondents evaluated the effectiveness of key NPIs and other governmental decisions related to COVID-19 pandemic management.
RESULTS:
Strict nationwide quarantine measures, including restrictions on movement between municipalities, were introduced on December 16, 2020, and remained in effect until March 16, 2021. These measures were evaluated positively by 58.4% of respondents, while 27.8% evaluated them negatively. The national COVID-19 vaccination passport (“Galimybių pasas”) was introduced in 2021, which allowed access to shopping centers, restaurants, concerts, and other facilities for fully vaccinated individuals or those with laboratory-confirmed prior infection. This measure was discontinued on February 4, 2022. The COVID-19 passport was evaluated positively by 43.9% of respondents and negatively by 33.5%. The system of fines for violations of NPI regulations was supported by 39.5% of participants. Overall, respondents evaluated COVID-19 pandemic management in Lithuania positively, assigning a mean score of 6.9±1.7 out of 10.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public health professionals generally viewed COVID-19 pandemic management in Lithuania positively; however, support for the most controversial NPIs was moderate. These findings highlight the need for stronger scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of NPIs and further discussion of their legal, social, ethical implications.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a major public health challenge worldwide. Although Lithuania did not experience a severe first wave of COVID-19 between March and May 2020, subsequent waves had considerably more severe consequences. To limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the Lithuanian Government implemented a complex set of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). This study aimed to evaluate public health professionals’ opinions on the effectiveness of these NPIs in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2022. Questionnaires were distributed to public health professionals working in selected municipal public health bureaus across Lithuania. A total of 281 specialists completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 44.8%. Respondents evaluated the effectiveness of key NPIs and other governmental decisions related to COVID-19 pandemic management.
RESULTS:
Strict nationwide quarantine measures, including restrictions on movement between municipalities, were introduced on December 16, 2020, and remained in effect until March 16, 2021. These measures were evaluated positively by 58.4% of respondents, while 27.8% evaluated them negatively. The national COVID-19 vaccination passport (“Galimybių pasas”) was introduced in 2021, which allowed access to shopping centers, restaurants, concerts, and other facilities for fully vaccinated individuals or those with laboratory-confirmed prior infection. This measure was discontinued on February 4, 2022. The COVID-19 passport was evaluated positively by 43.9% of respondents and negatively by 33.5%. The system of fines for violations of NPI regulations was supported by 39.5% of participants. Overall, respondents evaluated COVID-19 pandemic management in Lithuania positively, assigning a mean score of 6.9±1.7 out of 10.
CONCLUSIONS:
Public health professionals generally viewed COVID-19 pandemic management in Lithuania positively; however, support for the most controversial NPIs was moderate. These findings highlight the need for stronger scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of NPIs and further discussion of their legal, social, ethical implications.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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