Abstract
BackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the whole world and brought strong psychological impact. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in the general people of southwestern China and associated factors 1 month after the outbreak of the COVID-19.MethodsThis study was started on 4–10 Feb 2020 based on online survey. The present work was carried out in the provinces of southeastern China, including Sichuan Province, Guizhou Province, Yunnan Province, and Chongqing City.1593 respondents aged 18 years and above administered to this study. Data on whether they have experienced confirmed or suspected COVID-19 of themselves/family members/acquaintances were also collected, and based on ‘yes’ answers, the number of affected individuals (via COVID-19) were categorized into four exposure levels i.e., non-affected, less, moderately, or significantly affected. The civilian version of the PTSD checklist and the self-reported information about COVID-19 were used.ResultsThe prevalence of PTSD was approximately 25.2%(n = 401/1593). The chances of developing PTSD were 6.053(OR = 6.053, 95% CI 1.394 to 26.280) or 3.673(OR = 3.673, 95% CI 1.738 to 7.765) times higher among respondents who had been significantly and moderately affected than those who had not been affected, accordingly. Male (OR = 1.484, 95% CI 1.147 to 1.920),younger age individuals (40 ~ 49 age group/<30 age group, OR = 0.395, 95% CI 0.258 to 0.606) and health care workers (OR = 1.788, 95% CI 1.155 to 2.277) were at higher risk of developing PTSD.ConclusionOur findings highlight that a positive correlation between the pandemic and PTSD. It is urgent to establish a screening and prevention systems for the population who are significantly exposed to COVID-19,and provide different psychological intervention strategies for different groups.
Highlights
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the whole world and brought strong psychological impact
Our finding revealed that a large number of participants were developing post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) that was not worried about being infected, as compared to those who are little and more worried about being infected which might be due to limited information regarding COVID-19 in the initial phase of the outbreak and the risks may not be recognized
The results of this study provide the first data about the PTSD under the initial stage of COVID-19 carried out in southwestern China
Summary
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly spread across the whole world and brought strong psychological impact. The disease was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan city of China and later on Beijing announced that the virus could transfer from human-to-human on Jan 20, 2020. In this view, the Chinese government had implemented a lockdown (on Thu Jan 23rd, 2020) in Wuhan and other linked cities around Wuhan. Some people even didn’t have the last chance to meet their loved ones. Many industries such as catering, entertainment and tourism were facing the challenge of survival. At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the lack of specific treatments, limited knowledge of the virus and increasing death rates had further tensing the nervous of the society
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