Post-traumatic stress disorder prevalence and vulnerable groups after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Chinese adults

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence alter the outbreak of COVID-19 in Chinese adults and to explore the vulnerable groups of COVID-19-associated PTSD. Methods Random digital dialling sampling method was used based on the national cell phone segment database. Computer assisted telephone interviewing platform w, as administered to collect 4 206 questionnaires from all prefecture-level cities in China from May 11th to 28th 2020. PTSD score was evaluated with the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist 5th edition (PCL-5). Results The total national suspected PTSD rate was 2. 06%. The suspected PTSD rate for Wuhan City, other areas in Hubei and other Provinces were 2. 88%, 2. 54% and 2. 03% respectively. The multivariate Logistic regression model showed that middle age, rural location, and lower social-economic status was positively associated with suspected PTSD. Conclusions Although the COVID-19-associated PTSD rate was relatively low, more attention should be paid because of the largest population in China. And more consideration should be given to the low SES population for the control and prevention of COVID-19-associated PTSD.