Prevalence and Risk Factors for Acute Posttraumatic Stress Disorder during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Sun, Luna; Sun, Zhuoer; Wu, Lili; Zhu, Zhenwen; Zhang, Fan; Shang, Zhilei; Jia, Yanpu; Gu, Jingwen; Zhou, Yaoguang; Wang, Yan; Liu, Nianqi; Liu, Weizhi

BACKGROUND: : To examine the prevalence 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 constituted only a small part. Second, the measurement of PTSD in this study may 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.