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Hao F, Zhang Z, Lau SSS, Chiang SK, Zhou D, Tan W, Tang X, Ho R. The emergence of COVID-19 over-concern immediately after the cancelation of the measures adopted by the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1319906. [PMID: 38249361 PMCID: PMC10796473 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1319906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to report the prevalence of COVID-19 over-concern and its associated factors after the relaxation of the health-protective measures in China. Methods A team of seven experts in psychiatry and psychology specializing in COVID-19 mental health research from China, Hong Kong, and overseas reached a consensus on the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 over-concern. Individuals had to meet at least five of the following criteria: (1) at least five physical symptoms; (2) stocking up at least five items related to protecting oneself during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) illness anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) post-traumatic stress symptoms; (6) depression; (7) anxiety; (8) stress and (9) insomnia. An online survey using snowball sampling collected data on demographics, medical history, views on COVID-19 policies, and symptoms of COVID-19 over-concern. Multivariate linear regression was performed using significant variables from the previous regressions as independent variables against the presence of COVID-19 over-concern as the dependent variable. Breush-Pagan test was used to assess each regression model for heteroskedasticity of residuals. Results 1,332 respondents from 31 regions in China participated in the study for 2 weeks from December 25 to 27, 2022, after major changes in the zero-COVID policy. After canceling measures associated with the dynamic zero-COVID policy, 21.2% of respondents fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 over-concern. Factors significantly associated with COVID-19 over-concern were poor self-rated health status (β = 0.07, p < 0.001), concerns about family members getting COVID-19 (β = 0.06, p < 0.001), perceived usefulness of COVID-19 vaccine (β = 0.03, p = 0.012), impact on incomes, employment and studies (β = 0.045, p < 0.001) and impact on families (β = 0.03, p = 0.01). Conclusion After removing measures associated with the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China, approximately one-fifth of respondents met the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 over-concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyi Hao
- Sleep Medicine Center, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Faculty of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Zhisong Zhang
- Faculty of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Sam S. S. Lau
- Research Centre for Environment and Human Health, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Multidisciplinary Research Centre, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- College of International Education, School of Continuing Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Institute of Bioresource and Agriculture, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Soon-Kiat Chiang
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dewen Zhou
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wanqiu Tan
- National University of Singapore (Chongqing) Research Institute, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Roger Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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