Prevalence and risk factors for acute posttraumatic stress disorder during the COVID-19 outbreak

Highlights

• The prevalence of PTSD among the Chinese public one month after the COVID-19 outbreak was 4.6%.

• Female, having recent epidemic area contact history, population at high risk of infection, and poor sleep quality were identified as risk factors for PTSD.

• With regard to psychological intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak, females, people with poor sleep quality, and those who are at high risk of infection, such as people residing in high disease-prevalent regions and having had close contact with patients deserve special attention.

Abstarct

Background

To examine the prevalence of and risk factors for acute posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shortly after the massive outbreak of COVID-19 in China.

Methods

An online anonymous survey was conducted between 30 January and 3 February, 2020. The survey included two self-administered questionnaires: one collected personal information (gender, age, education background), current location, recent epidemic area contact history, the classification of population, and subjective sleep quality; the other was the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).

Results

A total of 2091 Chinese participated in the current study. The prevalence of PTSD among the Chinese public one month after the COVID-19 outbreak was 4.6%. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that gender (p < 0.001), epidemic area contact history (p = 0.047), classification of population (p < 0.001), and subjective sleep quality (p < 0.001) could be regarded as predictors for PTSD.

Limitations

First, the majority of participants in this study were the general public, with confirmed or suspected patients being a small part. Second, the measurement of PTSD in this study might be vulnerable to selection bias because of an online self-report study, such as participants’ recruitment. Third, the prevalence of PTSD in this study was estimated by an online questionnaire rather than a clinical interview.

Conclusions

The results suggested that some Chinese showed acute PTSD during the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, comprehensive psychological intervention needs further implementation. Furthermore, females, people who had recent epidemic area contact history, those at high risk of infection or with poor sleep quality deserve special attention.