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. 2024 Jan 8:11:1268799.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1268799. eCollection 2023.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and correlates among individuals who self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection after optimizing the COVID-19 response in China

Liangjia Wei #  1 , Jiao Qin #  1 , Zhifeng Lin #  1 , Xinju Huang  1 , Jinfeng He  1 , Dee Yu  2 , Fei Zhang  1 , Sisi Li  1 , Ping Cen  3 , Mu Li  1 , Tong Luo  1 , Rongjing Zhang  1 , Shanmei Zhong  1 , Cai Qin  1 , Zeyu Li  1 , Yuan Yang  1 , Huiqi Pan  1 , Mengdi Zhao  1 , Xiaoqiong Wu  1 , Junjun Jiang  1   4 , Hao Liang  1   4 , Li Ye  1   4 , Bingyu Liang  1   4
Affiliations

Prevalence of depressive symptoms and correlates among individuals who self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection after optimizing the COVID-19 response in China

Liangjia Wei et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The burden of depression symptoms has increased among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 during COVID-19 pandemic. However, the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain uncertain after optimizing the COVID-19 response in China.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among the public from January 6 to 30, 2023, using a convenience sampling method. Sociodemographic and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors were collected. The depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the associated factors with depressive symptoms.

Results: A total of 2,726 participants completed the survey. The prevalence of depression symptoms was 35.3%. About 58% of the participants reported experiencing insufficient drug supply. More than 40% of participants reported that they had missed healthcare appointments or delayed treatment. One-third of participants responded experiencing a shortage of healthcare staff and a long waiting time during medical treatment. Logistic regression analysis revealed several factors that were associated with depression symptoms, including sleep difficulties (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.34-3.44), chronic diseases (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.64-2.82), inpatient treatment for COVID-19 (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 2.19-4.77), with COVID-19 symptoms more than 13 days (OR, 1.30, 95% CI 1.04-1.63), re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.07-2.15), and the increased in demand for healthcare services (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08-1.61).

Conclusion: This study reveals a moderate prevalence of depression symptoms among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. The findings underscore the importance of continued focus on depressive symptoms among vulnerable individuals, including those with sleeping difficulties, chronic diseases, and inpatient treatment for COVID-19. It is necessary to provide mental health services and psychological interventions for these vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; PHQ-9 scale; depressive symptoms; healthcare services; optimizing the COVID-19 response.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study subjects flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Self-reported COVID-19 Symptoms among participants and main symptoms for inpatient treatment. (A) The self-reported COVID-19 symptoms among participants. (B) The main symptoms for inpatient treatment. In the legend, “Yes” indicates the presence of the symptom, and “No” represents the absence of the symptom.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Barriers to accessing healthcare services and reasons for delayed or canceled medical appointments after optimizing the COVID-19 response in China. (A) Barriers to accessing healthcare services. (B) The reasons for delaying or canceling medical appointments.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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