JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mental health problems among young adults are concerned

Objective:

We assess the prevalence of mental health problems and examine their associations with geographic location

Methods:

A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 provinces and autonomous regions among Chinese college students from Feb 4 to Feb 12, 2019. An online survey was adopted to collect information including demographics, perceived risk of infection, attitudes toward epidemic and control, and mental health status. Depression symptoms and anxiety were assessed by scales. A total of 11 787 participants were involved in the current study. A Chi-square test was used to compare the percentage of the perceived risk of infection and attitude toward COVID-19 between different geographic locations. The binary logistic models were used to identify associations between associations of geographic location and mental health problems after controlling for covariates

Results:

The prevalence of anxiety, depression symptoms were 17.8% and 25.9% for college students. After controlling for covariates, current living or college geographic location in Wuhan was positively associated with anxiety symptoms (OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.12-1.69; OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.03-1.32) and depression symptoms (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.10-1.59; OR=1.16, 95%CI: 1.04-1.30) compared with other areas. Living or travel history in Wuhan in the latest month was also positively associated with anxiety symptoms (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.49-1.83) and depression symptoms (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.34-1.6).

Conclusions:

Mental health problems are prevalent in Chinese young adults vary geographically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results provide further insight into developing targeted intervention strategies