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

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

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Prevalence
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Self Report

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by the Guangxi Scientific and Technological Talent Project (Grant number 2022AC20031), the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant number 2022YFC2305001), and thousands of Young and Middle Age Key Teachers Training Program in Guangxi Colleges and Universities (To BL).